THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


BIRDS  OF  WASHINGTON 

AND  VICINITY 


BIRDS  £E  WASHINGTON 

AND  VICINITY 

INCLUDING  ADJACENT  PARTS  OF 

MARYLAND  AND  VIRGINIA 


BY 

MRS.   L.  W.  MAYNARD 

WITH 

INTRODUCTION  BY  FLORENCE  A.  MERRIAM 


"So  I  say  to  you,  if  you  would  reap  the  purest  pleasures  of  youth, 
manhood,  and  old  age,  go  to  the  birds  and  through  them  be  brought 
within  the  ennobling  influences  of  nature."— F.  M.  CHAPMAN. 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 
1898 


Copyright,    1 898, 
BY  MRS.  L.  W.  MAYNARD 


THE  FRIEDENWALD  CO. 

BALTIMORE,    MD. 


L 


DEDICATED 

TO  MY  BOYS 

INSPIRING  COMPANIONS  IN  ALL  MY 
BIRD  STUDIES  AND  EXCURSIONS 


M349968 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 

This  little  book  has  been  prepared  at  the  suggestion 
of  the  Audubon  Society  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
in  the  belief  that  a  local  work  giving  untechnical  de- 
scriptions of  all  birds  likely  to  be  seen  in  this  vicinity, 
with  something  of  the  haunts  and  habits  of  those  that 
nest  here,  will  be  useful  to  many  who  desire  an  ac- 
quaintance with  our  own  birds  but  do  not  know  just 
how  to  go  about  making  it. 

Whatever  success  has  been  attained  in  the  effort  to 
make  the  book  usefully  accurate  and  complete  has  been 
made  possible  by  some  of  our  resident  ornithologists, 
who  have  most  generously  given  information,  obser- 
vations, and  helpful  criticism.  I  am  especially  in- 
debted to  Mr.  Robert  Ridgway,  Dr.  C.  W.  Richmond, 
Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  Mr.  William  Palmer,  and  Dr.  T.  S. 
Palmer.  Miss  Florence  A.  Merriam  has  been  the 
inspiration  of  the  work  from  its  inception.  There  are 
also  others  to  whom  I  am  deeply  grateful  for  kind 
assistance. 

I  would  call  attention  to  Dr.  Richmond's  valuable 
tabulated  list  of  all  birds  found  here  (p.  178),  and  to 
Miss  Merriam's  introduction,  with  its  hints  on  observ- 
ing, and  suggestions  as  to  where  to  find  the  District 
birds. 

The  illustrations  are  reproduced  from  bulletin  No. 
3  by  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  and  bulletin  No.  54  by  Prof. 
F.  E.  L.  Beal,  published  by  the  Biological  Survey, 
U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture. 

L.  W.  M. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  September,  1898. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

INTRODUCTION 1 1 

WHERE  BIRDS  MAY  BE  LOOKED  FOR       19 

ABOUT  BIRDS  IN  GENERAL 21 

FIELD  KEY  TO  OUR  COMMON  BIRDS 25 

SUMMER  RESIDENTS 41 

THRUSHES,  ETC 41 

GNATCATCHER 45 

NUTHATCHES  AND  TITS      46 

THRASHERS  AND  WRENS 49 

WARBLERS 58 

VIREOS 71 

CEDAR  WAXWING 76 

SWALLOWS .,  .  • 78 

TANAGERS 84 

SPARROWS,  ETC 86 

BLACKBIRDS  AND  ORIOLES 98 

CROWS  AND  BLUE  JAY 106 

FLYCATCHERS      no 

SWIFT  AND  HUMMINGBIRD 117 

WHIP-POOR-WILL  AND  NIGHTHAWK 119 

WOODPECKERS 121 

KINGFISHER 128 

CUCKOOS      130 

OWLS 132 

HAWKS 137 

TURTLE  DOVE 148 

QUAIL,  GROUSE,  AND  WILD  TURKEY 149 

SHORE  AND  WATER  BIRDS 151 

MIGRATION  OF  BIRDS 156 

DESCRIPTIONS  OF  MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS    .  1 59 
TABULATED  LIST  OF  ALL  BIRDS  FOUND  IN  THE  DISTRICT 

OF  COLUMBIA      178 

BIRDS  THAT  MAY  BE  SEEN  IN  WINTER 187 

LOCAL  LISTS 188 

OBSERVATION  OUTLINE      192 

INDEX 197 


INTRODUCTION. 

In  these  days  we  have  not  the  excuse  that  it  is  nec- 
essary to  shoot  a  bird  to  find  out  what  it  is.  With 
museum  collections  and  bird  books  to  refer  to,  one  has 
only  to  go  to  the  field  and  watch  the  birds.  Here 
an  opera-glass  is  a  great  help  and  a  note-book  posi- 
tively indispensable  to  the  earnest  observer.  Notes 
on  colors  and  markings  made  in  the  field  with  the 
bird  in  sight,  if  compared  with  the  books,  will  give  the 
bird's  name,  and  notes  on  his  habits  made  at  the  time 
will  add  valuable  material  to  our  meagre  knowledge 
of  life  histories;  but  notes  made  from  memory  will 
rarely  identify  and  are  wholly  untrustworthy.  A  good 
observer  must  be  able  to  take  his  oath  upon  the  accu- 
racy of  all  his  records. 

Provided  with  glass  and  note-book  and  dressed  in 
inconspicuous  colors,  proceed  to  some  good  birdy 
place — the  bushy  banks  of  a  stream  or  an  old  juniper 
pasture — and  sit  down  in  the  undergrowth  or  against 
a  concealing  tree  trunk  with  your  back  to  the  sun,  to 
look  and  listen  in  silence.  You  will  be  able  to  trace 
most  songs  to  their  singers  by  finding  which  tree 
the  song  comes  from  and  then  watching  for  movement, 
as  birds  are  rarely  motionless  long  at  a  time  when 
singing.  It  will  be  a  help  if,  besides  writing  down  a 
careful  description  of  both  bird  and  song,  you  draw  a 
rough  diagram  of  the  bird's  markings  and  put  down 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

the  actual  notes  of  his  song  as  nearly  as  may  be. 
Suggestions  as  to  the  most  important  points  to 
observe  will  be  found  on  page  192. 

If  you  have  time  for  only  a  walk  through  the  woods, 
go  as  quietly  as  possible  and  stop  often,  listening  to 
catch  the  notes  that  your  footsteps  have  drowned. 
Timid  birds  may  often  be  attracted  by  answering  their 
calls,  for  it  is  very  reassuring  to  be  addressed  in  one's 
native  tongue. 

Don't  try  to  see  too  much  at  first.  Carefully  note 
descriptions  of  a  few  birds  and  then  refer  to  a  bird 
book  and  identify  them. 

It  will  be  a  great  help  to  compare  your  note-book 
descriptions  with  the  Smithsonian  cases  of  summer 
residents  of  the  District,  in  the  Children's  Room,  and 
labelled  "  Familiar  Birds  of  the  United  States."  Ref- 
erence books  may  be  examined  at  the  library  of  the 
Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 
though  they  cannot  be  taken  from  the  room,  and 
many  of  the  popular  books  will  be  found  in  the  Wash- 
ington Free  Public  Library.  Migration  blanks,  and 
publications  on  the  food  habits  of  birds  can  be  had 
on  application  to  the  Biological  Survey. 

Records  of  rare  birds  should  be  reported  to>  Dr. 
Richmond  at  the  Smithsonian,  and  he  should  also  be 
consulted  about  birds  that  cannot  be  otherwise  iden- 
tified. 

Aside  from  the  many  advantages  afforded  by  access 
to  experienced  ornithologists  and  the  government  col- 
lections, Washington  is  a  particularly  good  place  in 
which  to  get  acquainted  with  birds.  The  numerous 
city  parks,  and  the  large  grounds  of  the  Capitol, 


FLORENCE  A.   M ERR  I  AM.  13 

White  House,  Agricultural  Department,  and  Smith- 
sonian are  good  observation  grounds  in  themselves, 
not  only  in  the  migrations  but  in  the  nesting  season, 
as  we  are  favored  by  having  twenty-six  species  of  birds 
nest  in  the  city. 

Even  in  winter,  when  most  of  us  note  few  but  the 
English  Sparrow,  the  city  is  not  without  its  native 
bird  residents  and  affords  opportunities  for  delightful 
encounters  with  straying  northerners  visiting  the 
capital. 

Much  to  the  satisfaction  of  inlanders  unacquainted 
with  coast  birds,  the  singular  car  of  the  Fish  Crow  may 
be  heard  all  winter  about  the  Smithsonian,  for  the 
birds  make  themselves  at  home  on  its  towers  and 
regardless  of  spectators  perch  on  the  bare  trees  of  the 
grounds.  Sometimes  when  walking  through  the 
grounds  one  discovers  a  small  tree  filled  apparently 
with  round  apples,  which  on  approach  turn  into  a 
flock  of  plump  Waxwings  conversing  in  their  low 
monosyllables.  In  passing  weed-grown  vacant  lots 
one  often  starts  up  a  flock  of  twittering  Juncos— the 
slate-colored  Snowbirds — and  one  day  I  chanced  along 
just  as  a  small  Hawk  darted  down  from  his  ambuscade 
scattering  a  little  band  of  them  which  had  been  feeding 
quietly  among  the  weeds.  Throughout  the  winter 
we  are  honored  by  the  presence  of  the  Red-headed 
Woodpecker,  splendid  beauty  that  he  is,  and  when 
passing  "  Boundary  Castle,"  at  the  head  of  Sixteenth 
Street,  may  often  hear  his  rattling  kerrYr  and  get 
sight  of  the  handsome  tricolor  coats  of  two  or  three 
of  the  Red-heads  disporting  on  the  bare  trees  below 
the  Castle.  On  the  quiet  part  of  Florida  Avenue 


1 4  INTR  OD  UCTION. 

near  by,  the  cheering  voice  of  the  Song  Sparrow  may 
sometimes  be  heard,  sounding  peculiarly  gentle  and 
melodious  in  contrast  to  the  quarrelsome  winter 
chatter  of  the  English  Sparrow.  Now  and  then,  too, 
the  sweet  sad  call  of  the  Bluebird  stirs  our  hearts  with 
its  promise  of  spring. 

Transient  feathered  visitors  also  brighten  the  winter 
days.  Once  I  had  the  delightful  surprise  of  discover- 
ing a  flock  of  northern  Pine  Finches  filling  a  sapling 
at  the  corner  of  i6th  and  U  Streets,  and  showing  their 
yellow  wing  marks  as  if  to  prove  their  identity. 
Another  day  I  came  face  to  face  with  a  flock  of 
Horned  Larks  at  the  intersection  of  New  Hampshire 
Avenue  and  T  Street,  calmly  taking  a  promenade  on 
the  asphalt. 

Towards  spring  one's  calendar  has  many  red  letters. 
As  I  look  back,  one  of  the  brightest  is  the  day  when 
from  a  tree  opposite  the  Treasury  the  first  spring  carol 
of  the  Robin  arrested  my  steps  and  magically  trans- 
formed the  noisy  city  streets  into  quiet  countryside, 
as  a  sudden  burst  of  sunshine  illuminates  a  dull  land- 
scape. Bound  with  this  memory  is  the  first  sight  of 
the  jolly  Crow  Blackbirds  on  the  Agricultural  grounds 
taking  constitutionals  among  the  dandelions  to  the  de- 
light of  all  beholders.  Then  come  the  evenings  when 
from  the  sidewalk  one  hears  the  faint  sweet  chirpings 
of  homeward  bound  travellers  passing  overhead,  even- 
ings followed  by  days  when  Golden  Warblers  awaken 
one  with  their  summery  song,  little  visitors  drop  into 
the  city  parks,  the  leafing  trees  ring  with  the  happy 
songs  of  bands  of  Goldfinches,  and  the  woods  and 
fields  are  filled  with  new  joyful  life  to  attract  one  to  the 
country. 


FLORENCE  A.  M ERR  I  AM.  15 

In  going  outside  of  the  city  to  look  for  birds  Wash- 
ingtonians  are  peculiarly  favored,  for  the  suburban  car 
lines  carry  them  out  so  quickly  that  even  the  few  free 
hours  of  a  busy  day  may  be  used  to  great  advantage. 
One  of  the  most  accessible  places  is  also  one  of  the 
best  for  birds.  From  the  7th  Street  end  of  the  U 
Street  car  line  it  takes  only  fifteen  minutes  to  reach 
the  entrance  of  the  Zoological  Park,  where  the  earliest 
birds  gather.  Here  on  a  chilly  spring  morning  the 
air  has  been  fairly  ringing  with  the  sweet  minor  whis- 
tles of  Field  Sparrows  answering  each  other  across  the 
bare  hills. 

In  April  the  low  sunny  pine  woods  on  the  way  to  the 
animal  houses  are  a  favorite  singing  gallery  for  flocks 
of  the  slate-colored  Snowbirds  which,  minor  songsters 
though  they  be,  warble  a  cheery  lay  that  leads  very 
pleasantly  to  the  louder  chorus  of  summer.  Beyond 
the  pines,  around  the  out-door  animal  houses  and  the 
buffalo  yards  where  seed-eaters  can  pick  up  a  living, 
the  handsome  White-throated  Sparrows  collect,  and 
their  piping  whistle  is  most  grateful  to  the  ear,  for  it 
has  all  the  purity  and  freshness  of  a  spring  morning. 

In  May  and  June  as  you  enter  the  Zoo  gates  the 
low  wooded  hills  on  the  right  are  almost  sure  to  be 
echoing  with  bird  songs.  Cardinals,  Tufted  Titmice, 
Indigo-birds,  Catbirds,  Chats,  Oven-birds,  Scarlet 
Tanagers,  and  Wood  Thrushes  sing  there  commonly, 
and  I  have  seen  numbers  of  Black-polls  and  a  Bay- 
breasted  Warbler  there  earlier  in  the  season.  On  May 
4,  1898,  I  noted  twelve  species  between  the  Zoo  en- 
trance and  the  antelope  yards,  including  the  Black 
and  White  Creeper  and  Prairie  W^arbler. 


1 6  INTRODUCTION. 

During"  the  spring  migration  the  bushes  along  the 
north  bank  of  Rock  Creek  below  the  prairie-dog 
houses  are  favorite  resorts  for  warblers — active  Black 
and  White  Creepers,  gentle  Black-throated  Blues, 
gorgeous  orange-throated  Blackburnians,  and  many 
others,  while  across  the  creek,  White-eyed  Vireos, 
Chats  and  Maryland  Yellow-throats  sing.  Piney 
Branch  is  another  good  water-way  for  Warblers — a 
beauty  of  a  Black-and-Yellow  is  associated  with  one 
especial  patch  of  bushes.  Indeed,  sunny  undergrowth 
by  water  supplies  the  conditions  these  little  insect 
eaters  most  desire. 

Outside  the  Zoo  the  narrow  wooded  strip  of  land 
between  the  Potomac  and  the  canal  from  High  Island 
up  to  the  Amphitheatre  is  one  of  the  best  Warbler 
grounds  easily  reached  by  the  cars.  Here  one  may 
find  among  other  birds  Rough-winged  Swallows, 
Maryland  Yellow-throats,  Carolina  Wrens,  Water- 
Thrushes  and  Kentucky  Warblers. 

In  looking  for  birds  that  prefer  dry  fields  and 
thickets  there  is  a  delightful  old  jumper  field  to  visit 
just  west  of  Chevy  Chase  circle.  Here  Thrashers 
shout  out  their  approval  of  life,  shy  Chewinks  scratch 
up  the  dead  leaves  under  cover  of  the  evergreens, 
clownish  Chats  pour  out  their  rapid  volleys — loud 
whistles  and  mocking  laughter — from  the  thicket,  and 
sweet-voiced  Prairie  Warblers  mount  the  juniper  tops 
and  with  leisurely  serenity  run  up  their  rich  scale. 

Among  other  birdy  places  that  may  be  reached  on 
the  wheel  are  the  wild  undergrowth  bordering  the  Sol- 
diers' Home  woods,  the  road  passing  Pierce's  Mill 
and  Blagden's  Mill,  and  running  northward  into  Rock 


FLORENCE  A.  MERRIAM.  17 

Creek  Park,  the  woods  along  the  Brightwood  road  and 
the  military  road  west  of  Brightwood.  The  woods 
back  of  Marshall  Hall  and  those  adjoining  Mt.  Ver- 
non,  Takoma  Park,  Forest  Glen,  Kensington,  Rock- 
ville,  Laurel,  Four  Mile  Run,  the  Arsenal  grounds 
and  the  reclaimed  Potomac  Flats  are  all  good  places. 
The  Falls  Church  road  is  said  to  go  through  a  rich 
bird  section  and  to  include  on  its  list  Worm-eating 
Warblers.  Arlington  Cemetery  is  particularly  good 
for  winter  birds,  and  the  mouth  of  Hunting  Creek, 
Anacostia  River  and  swamps,  for  water  birds. 

On  May  9,  1898,  I  noticed  forty-eight  species  on  a 
circuit  of  a  mile  from  the  terminus  of  the  I4th  Street 
car  line  down  along  Piney  Branch  and  back  through 
Mt.  Pleasajit,  eighteen  species  of  which  were  seen  be- 
tween the  end  of  the  car  line  and  the  I4th  Street 
bridge  on  Piney  Branch. 

Before  the  bulk  of  the  birds  come  north,  one  has  to 
pick  out  the  most  favorable  places  in  order  to  see 
much,  but  in  May  and  June  there  will  be  plenty  to 
see  and  hear  on  almost  any  walk  or  ride  if  one  selects 
the  hour  and  direction  in  reference  to  sun  and  wind. 
For  birds  follow  the  sun,  keep  out  of  the  wind,  and 
are  little  in  evidence  during  the  hot  noon  hours.  In 
the  early  morning  the  dark  western  side  of  the  woods 
will  be  silent  and  deserted  while  the  side  that  faces 
the  sun  will  be  alive  with  merry  songsters.  Go  along 
Piney  Branch  when  the  sun  has  dropped  below  the 
southern  wall  and  you  will  see  little  or  nothing.  Walk 
up  Rock  Creek  in  a  strong  north  or  south  wind  and 
you  will  fare  still  worse.  The  noon -day  hours  are  to 
be  avoided  almost  as  much  as  wind.  To  hear  songs 


1 8  INTR  OD  UCTION. 

and  watch  migrants,  go  early  in  the  morning,  earlier 
as  the  days  grow  warmer.  If  the  morning  hours  are 
occupied,  the  late  afternoon  ones  will  be  found  profit- 
able, as  the  birds  sing  again  when  the  heat  of  the  day 
is  over.  In  watching  nests  you  have  more  latitude, 
as  there  is  generally  plenty  to  see  at  all  hours  of  the 
day. 

Year  by  year  as  one's  field  experiences  accumulate, 
the  pleasures  of  bird  study  deepen.  Not  only  does 
the  acquaintance  of  one  year  become  the  friend  of  the 
next,  but  drawn  more  to  the  woods  and  fields  by  the 
delight  of  our  new  interest  in  the  birds  themselves, 
all  unwittingly  we  come  closer  and  closer  to  nature 
and  are  blessed  by  her  healing  touch. 

FLORENCE  A.  M*ERRIAM. 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  June  75, 


BIRDS  OF  THE  WOODS. 

Tanagers,  Thrushes,  Woodpeckers,  Flycatchers, 
Vireos,  Carolina  Wren,  Cardinal,  Kingfisher  (wooded 
streams),  Oven-bird,  Black  and  White  Creeper,  Nut- 
hatch, Titmouse,  Chickadee,  Whip-poor-will,  Night- 
hawk,  Junco,  Kinglets,  Water-Thrush,  Hummingbird, 
Cuckoos,  Turtle  Dove,  most  Warblers. 

BIRDS  OF  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Bluebird,  Robin,  Chipping  Sparrow,  Wood  Pewee, 
Phoebe,  Kingbird,  Brown  Thrasher,  Catbird,  Mock- 
ingbird, House  Wren,  Purple  Martin,  Eave  and  Barn 
Swallows,  Orioles,  Blue  Jay,  Hummingbird,  Gold- 
finch, Woodpeckers,  Crested  Flycatcher,  Red-eyed 
Vireo,  Cedar-bird. 

BIRDS  OF  MEADOW  AND  WILD  FIELD. 

Field  Sparrow,  Vesper  Sparrow,  Indigo-bird,  Blue- 
bird, Meadowlark,  Bobolink,  Blackbirds,  Crow, 
Fish  Crow,  Nighthawk,  Bob-white,  Junco,  Prairie 
Warbler,  Brown  Thrasher. 

BIRDS  OF  ROADSIDE  AND  FENCES. 

Sparrows,  Kingbird,  Chat,  Indigo-bird,  Bluebird, 
Goldfinch,  Brown  Thrasher,  Catbird,  Robin. 

BIRDS  THAT*SHOW  WHITE  IN  FLYING. 

Meadowlark,  Vesper  Sparrow,  Chewink,  Cuckoos, 
Junco,  Kingbird,  Blue  Jay,  Flicker,  Turtle  Dove, 
Nighthawk,  Mockingbird,  Marsh  Hawk,  many  small 
Warblers. 


ABOUT  BIRDS  IN  GENERAL. 

Birds  as  a  class  occupy  a  place  between  mammals 
and  reptiles,  but  nearer  reptiles.  Unlike  and  far  apart 
as  birds  and  snakes  now  are,  fossil  remains  prove 
that  they  have  a  common  ancestry,  that  both  are  de- 
scended from  what  is  called  reptilian  stock,  and  have 
arrived  at  their  present  forms  by  a  long  and  wonderful 
process  of  evolution.  A  character  still  common  to 
both  is  egg-laying,  although  reptiles,  with  few  excep- 
tions, do  not  incubate. 

Birds,  standing  between  mammals  and  reptiles,  have 
no  marked  peculiarities  of  structure  not  found  in  one 
or  the  other  class,  except  that  of  body-covering;  they, 
and  they  only,  are  clothed  in  feathers.  This  ideal 
clothing  is  light,  warm,  and  non-conducting,  thus 
permitting  a  high  temperature  to  be  maintained.  The 
heat  of  a  bird's  body  is  about  no  degrees,  against  98 
degrees  in  mammals  and  40  degrees  in  reptiles. 

Birds  are  said  to  be  protectively  colored  when  the 
tints  of  their  plumage  harmonize  with  their  haunts, 
making  them  inconspicuous  to  their  enemies.  The 
brown,  striped  Sparrows,  Quail,  and  Whip-poor-will 
are  good  examples  of  protective  coloration  in  birds 
that  are  much  on  the  ground,  and  Vireos  and  female 
Tanagers  of  those  that  live  in  trees. 

Birds  do  not  perspire.  They  have  an  oil-gland  at 
the  base  of  the  tail  from  which  they  press  out  a  drop 
of  oil  with  the  beak,  and  dress  or  "  preen "  their 
feathers.  This  gland  is  specially  developed  in  water- 


22  ABOUT  BIRDS  IN  GENERAL. 

birds,  and  it  is  the  thorough  anointing  of  the  feathers 
which  makes  water  so  readily  run  off  a  duck's  back. 

The  breathing  capacity  of  birds  is  phenomenal; 
they  breathe  not  only  with  the  lungs  but  with  the 
whole  body,  inflating  numerous  air-sacs  under  the 
skin,  and  also  certain  bones.  Birds  breathe  much 
more  rapidly  than  animals.  Their  wonderful  power 
of  flight  is  explained  by  the  lightness  of  the  air-filled 
body,  and  by  their  great  muscular  strength ;  the  breast 
muscles  which  move  the  wings  are  enormous,  some- 
times weighing  one-sixth  of  the  whole  bird. 

There  is  the  greatest  variety  in  the  structure  and 
consequently  in  the  habits  of  different  birds,  some 
being  especially  adapted  to  life  in  the  water,  and 
others  to  aerial  life,  while  the  Ostrich  and  its  rela- 
tives can  neither  swim  nor  fly.  By  far  the  greater 
number  of  birds,  however,  are  at  home  on  earth  or  in 
the  air,  and  can  range  the  wide  world  over,  the  most 
free  and  independent  of  all  creatures. 

Aerial  birds  have  great  expanse  of  wing  in  pro- 
portion to  the  size  of  body,  and  their  wings  are  long 
and  pointed,  while  birds  that  spend  most  of  their  time 
perching  or  on  the  ground,  like  the  Sparrows,  have 
short  round  wings.  Between  the  two  extremes  of 
shape  and  use  there  is  every  possible  variety,  adapted 
to  the  habits  of  all  species. 

The  bill  of  a  bird  is  its  hand,  and  is  wonderfully 
varied  to  suit  different  habits  of  feeding  and  nest 
building.  It  may  be  long  or  short,  slender  or  stout, 
straight  or  hooked  at  the  end,  curved  up  or  down, 
wide  and  flat  or  high  and  narrow,  but  is  always  ad- 
mirably adapted  to  its  special  use.  In  its  varied 
forms  it  is  used  as  forceps,  chisel,  hammer,  trowel, 
shovel,  probe,  hook  or  needle. 


ABOUT  BIRDS  IN  GENERAL.  23 

There  are  also  great  differences  in  the  feet  of  birds. 
Those  that  walk  much,  like  Blackbirds,  have  strong, 
well-developed  feet,  while  the  feet  of  birds  that  spend 
most  of  their  time  in  the  air,  such  as  Swallows,  are 
small  and  weak.  Hawks  and  Owls  have  tremen- 
dously strong  feet,  which  they  use  with  great  skill 
in  catching  and  killing  their  prey.  Water  birds  have 
webbed  feet,  which  are  used  as  oars  in  swimming. 
The  feet  of  perching  birds  are  so  constructed  that 
certain  tendons  act  automatically  and  lock  the  bird  to 
his  perch  when  sleeping. 

A  bird's  tail  is  used  as  a  rudder  in  flight,  and  enables 
him  to  steer  his  course  with  precision.  Long-tailed 
birds  can  change  their  course  much  more  quickly  and 
gracefully  than  those  with  short  tails,  which  generally 
make  direct  flights.  Some  birds,  like  Woodpeckers 
and  Swifts,  have  a  short  stiff  tail,  which  they  use  as 
a  prop.  Many  birds  use  the  tail  to  express  emotion. 
It  is  twitched,  wagged,  spread  or  folded,  drooped  or 
tilted  up,  according  to  the  disposition  of  its  owner. 

Birds  have  ears,  although  there  is  usually  no  indi- 
cation of  them.  They  open  a  little  below  and  behind 
the  eyes,  and  are  hidden  by  feathers.  The  nose  of  a 
bird  is  a  pair  of  nostrils  opening  on  the  bill. 

Birds  are  classified  according  to  their  differences 
in  structure,  the  greater  diversities  separating  them 
into  the  larger  divisions,  or  orders,  and  the  lesser 
into  the  nearer  relationship  of  families.  Within 
families  there  is  a  still  closer  connection  called  the 
genus  (plural  genera).  Species  means  the  particular 
kind  of  bird,  as  Robin,  Song  Sparrow.  The  scien- 
tific names  of  birds  show  genus  and  species,  and  the 
genus  is  placed  first,  as  if  we  should  write  Smith,  John 
instead  of  John  Smith. 


A  FIELD  KEY  TO  OUR  COMMON  LAND  BIRDS.* 

When  you  have  seen  a  bird  with  sufficient  definite- 
ness  to  describe  its  color,  form,  and  actions,  reference 
to  the  following  key  will  often  prove  a  short  cut  to  its 
identity.  This  key  is  based  only  on  adult  males,  who, 
because  of  their  song,  often  brighter  colors,  and 
greater  activity,  are  far  more  frequently  observed  than 
the  females.  But,  knowing  the  male,  you  will  rarely, 
during  the  nesting  season,  be  at  loss  to  recognize  his 
mate. 

The  use  of  the  key  may  be  illustrated  by  the  follow- 
ing example:  Let  us  imagine  that  you  see  a  Chipping 
Sparrow  feeding  about  your  doorstep.  You  note  his 
size,  chestnut  cap  bordered  by  white,  black  bill, 
brownish,  streaked  back,  and  grayish  white,  un- 
marked under  parts.  Turning  now  to  the  key,  you 
will  see  that  by  exclusion  the  bird  belongs  in  "  Sec- 
tion V  "  of  the  "  Third  Group,"  and  that  it  should  be 
placed  in  subsection  "  I  "  of  this  section,  which  in- 
cludes birds  having  the  "  under  parts  white  or  whitish, 
all  one  color,  without  streaks  or  spots."  You  have 
now  two  subdivisions  to  choose  from — "  A.  Back 

*  From  "  Bird-life,"  by  Frank  M.  Chapman.  By  per- 
mission of  D.  Appleton  &  Co. 


26  FIELD  KEY. 

without  streaks  or  spots,"  and  "  B.  Back  brownish, 
streaked."  Your  bird  falls  under  "  B,"  where  again 
you  have  two  subdivisions,  "  a.  Crown  rufous  or  chest- 
nut, without  streaks,"  and  "  b.  Crown  not  rufous  or 
chestnut."  Your  bird  should  be  referred  to  "  a," 
where  you  will  at  once  find  it  described  under  "  a x ' 
as  the  Chipping  Sparrow. 

FIRST  GROUP. 

BIRDS    THAT    CATCH   THEIR    INSECT    FOOD    IN    THE    AIR. 

{Flycatchers,    Swallows,    Swift,    Nighthawk,    Whip-poor-will.) 

I.  Size   large,    length   over   9.00   inches;   the    spread 

wings  over  15.00  inches  in  extent;  generally  seen 
only  late  in  the  afternoon  or  at  dusk. 

1.  A  bird  of  the  air,  flying  high,  often  over  housetops  in 
cities;     a   conspicuous   white  spot  in   each   wing;     note, 
a  loud,  nasal  peent;    sometimes  dives  earthward  with  a 
booming  sound NIGHTHAWK,  page  120. 

2.  Haunts,  near  the  ground,  makes  short  flights  while  feed- 
ing;   call,  given  from  a  rock,   stump,  or  similar  perch, 
whip-poor-will,  vigorously  repeated. 

WHIP-POOR-WILL,  page  119. 

II.  Size  smaller,'  length  under  9.00  inches;  the.  spread 

wings  less  than  15.00  inches  in  extent;  may  be 
seen  at  any  time  of  the  day. 

i.     Birds   that   catch   passing  insects   by   darting   from    a 
perch,  to  which  they  afterward  return. 
A.     Length    8.50    inches;     upper    parts    blackish    slate 
color;     tail    tipped    with    white;     occasionally    attacks 
Crows;     note,  an  unmusical,  steely  chatter. 

KINGBIRD,  page  in. 


FIELD  KEY.  2; 

B.     Length    under   8.00    inches;     upper    parts    not    slate 
color;    tail  not  tipped  with  white. 

a.  Length  7.00  inches;    frequently  found  nesting  un- 
der  bridges    or    about    buildings;     crown    blackish; 
tail    wagged   nervously;     note,   pee,   pee,   and    pe-wit- 
phcebe PHOEBE,   page   114. 

b.  Length  6.50  inches;    haunts  wooded  growths;  note. 
a  plaintive  pee-a-wee.   .   .   .  WOOD  PEWEE,  page  115. 

c.  Length  5.40  inches;     haunts  orchards,  lawns,   and 
open  woodland;    note,  chebec,  chebec. 

LEAST  FLYCATCHER,  page  169. 

2.     Birds  that  feed  on  the  wing  for  hours  without  perch- 
ing. 

A.  Plumage  entirely  black. 

a.  Length  5.50  inches;    plumage  sooty  black;    usually 
nests  in  chimneys.   .    .    .   CHIMNEY  SWIFT,  page  117. 

b.  Length  8.00  inches;    glossy,  bluish  black;    nests  in 
gourds   or  houses  erected  for  its   use. 

PURPLE  MARTIN,  page  78. 

B.  Plumage  not  entirely  black.  .    SWALLOWS,  page  78. 

SECOND  GROUP. 

CLIMBING    AND    CREEPING    BIRDS. 

(Nuthatches,    Creepers,    Woodpeckers.} 

I.  Birds    without    stiffly    pointed    tail-feathers,    that 
climb  either  up  or  down. 

1.  Length  6.00  inches;    back  gray,  cap  black,  cheeks  and 
under  parts  white;    note,  a  nasal  yank,  yank;    a  perma- 
nent  resident.  .  WHITE-BREASTED    NUTHATCH,    page   48. 

2.  Length  4.50  inches;    back  gray,  cap  black,  a  blackish 
streak  through   the   face;     under   parts   reddish   brown; 
note,  high  and  thin,  like  the  tone  of  a  penny  trumpet. 

RED-BREASTED  NUTHATCH,  page   160. 


28  FIELD  KEY. 

3.     Length   5.25   inches;     upper   parts   streaked  black  and 
white;    note,  a  thin  wiry  see-see-see-see. 

BLACK  AND  WHITE  WARBLER,  page  59. 

II.  Birds  with  stiffly  pointed  tail-feathers,  that  always 
climb  upward. 

1.  Length  5.65  inches;    plumage  dull   brown  and   black; 
size  small,  bill  slender;  an  inconspicuous  bird  who  winds 
his  way  up  the  trunks  searching  for  insects'  eggs,  etc.; 
note,  fine  and  squeaky.  .   .  BROWN  CREEPER,  page  160. 

2.  Plumage    with    more    or   less    white,    size    larger,    bill 
stouter,  chisel-like,  often  used  in  hammering. 

A.  Length   9.75   inches;    head  red,   back  black;     flight 
showing  a  large  white  patch  in  the  wing. 

RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER,  page  123. 

B.  Length   12.00  inches;    crown  gray;    a  red  band  on 
the  nape;    flight  showing  a  white  patch  on  the  lower 
back  and  yellow  in  the  wings;    often  flushed  from  the 
ground;  note,  kee-yer FLICKER,  page  127. 

C.  Length  6.75  inches;    crown  black;    back  and  wings 
black  and  white;    note,  a  sharp  peek. 

DOWNY  WOODPECKER,  page  122. 

THIRD  GROUP. 

BIRDS    NOT   INCLUDED    IN   THE   PRECEDING    GROUPS. 

(Blackbirds,   Orioles,   Sparrows,    Vireos,   Warblers, 
Thrushes,  etc.} 

SECTION  I.  With  yellow  or  orange  in  the  plumage. 
SECTION  II.  With  red  in  the  plumage. 
SECTION  III.     With  blue  in  the  plumage. 
SECTION  IV.  Plumage  conspicuously  black,  or  black 
and  white. 


FIELD  KEY. 


29 


SECTION  V.  Birds  not  included  in   the  preceding 
sections. 

I.    With  yellow  or  orange  in  the  plumage. 

i.     Throat  yellow. 

A.  Throat  and  breast   pure  yellow,   without  streaks   or 
spots. 

a.  Length  5.10  inches;  cap,  wings,  and  tail  black;  back 
yellow;    song  canarylike,   sometimes  uttered  on  the 
wing;    flight  undulating,  frequently  accompanied  by 
the     notes     chic-o-ree,     per-chic-o-ree ;      a     permanent 
resident AM.    GOLDFINCH,  page  86. 

b.  Length    5.95    inches;     lower    belly    and    wing-bars 
white;       back     olive-green;      frequents     the     upper 
branches,    generally    in    woodland;     actions    deliber- 
ate;    song   loud   and   musical,   uttered    slowly,   often 
with  pauses:    "See  me?    I'm  here;  where  are  you?" 

YELLOW-THROATED  VIREO,  page  73. 

c.  Length    5.25    inches;     cheeks    and    forehead    black, 
bordered    by    ashy;     upper    parts    olive-green;      no 
wing-bars;    haunts  thickets  and  undergrowth:  move- 
ments  nervous   and   active;     call-note   pit  or    chack; 
song,   a  vigorous,   rapid  witch-e-wee-o,   zvitch-e-wee-o. 

MARYLAND  YELLOW-THROAT,  page  68. 

d.  Length  7.45  inches;    upper  parts  olive-green;    no 
wing-bars;  a  white  line  before  the  eye;  haunts  thick- 
ets and  undergrowth;     song,   a  striking   mixture    of 
whistles,  chucks,  and  caws,  sometimes  uttered  on  the 
wing YELLOW-BREASTED  CHAT,   page  69. 

B.  Under   parts    streaked    with   reddish-brown;     length 
5.00    inches;     general    appearance    of    a    yellow    bird; 
haunts  shrubbery  of  lawns,  orchards,  second  growths, 
and  particularly  willows  near  water;  song,  rather  loud, 
wee,     chee-chee-chee,     cher-wee,     or     chee-chee-chee-ch~ee, 
way-o YELLOW  WARBLER,  page  61. 


30  FIELD  KEY. 

C.  Breast  yellow,  with  a  conspicuous  black  crescent; 
length  10.75  inches;  haunts  fields  and  meadows,  largely 
terrestrial;  flight  quail-like,  outer  tail-feathers  white, 
showing  when  on  the  wing;  song,  a  loud,  musical 
whistle;  a  permanent  resident. 

MEADOWLARK,  page  102. 

2.     Throat  white. 

A.  With  yellow  on  the  sides. 

a.  Length  5.50  inches;    rump  yellow;    breast  streaked 
or    spotted    with    black;     tail-feathers    marked    with 
white;    note,  a  characteristic  tchip. 

MYRTLE  WARBLER,  page  162. 

b.  Length  5.00  inches;    no  black  on  under  parts  or 
white  in  the  tail;    yellow  extending  along  the  whole 
sides;    back  olive-green,  iris  white;    haunts  thickets; 
call,   an  emphatic   "  Who   are  you,   eh?  " 

WHITE-EYED  VIREO,  page  74. 

c.  Length  5.25   inches;    tail  and   wings  banded  with 
yellow,    showing    conspicuously    in    flight;     haunts 
woodland;    movements  active,  much  in  the  air,  tail 
frequently  spread REDSTART,  page  70, 

B.  No  yellow  on  sides. 

a.  Length  6.75  inches;    a  yellow  line  from  the  bill  to 
the  eye;    crown  black,  with  a  white  stripe  through 
its  center;    haunts  in  and  about  thickets  and  bushy 
woodlands;     song,    a    high,    clear,    musical    whistle; 
call-note,  chink. 

WHITE-THROATED  SPARROW,  page  167. 

b.  Length  4.00  inches;  a  yellow,  or  yellow  and  orange 
crown-patch,  •  bordered    by    black;      flits    restlessly 
about  outer  limbs  of  trees  and  bushes;    note,  a  fine 
ti-ti GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLET,  page  160. 

3.     Throat  neither  yellow  nor  white. 


FIELD  KEY.  31 

A.  Length    12.00   inches;     white    rump   and   yellow    in 
wings     showing    conspicuously     in     flight;      a     black 
breast-band;    note,  a  loud  kee~yer. 

FLICKER,  page  127. 

B.  Length  9.00  inches;    crested;    breast  ashy,  belly  yel- 
low;   tail-feathers  largely  pale  brownish  red;    haunts 
upper  branches  in  woodland;    note,   a  loud  question- 
ing or  grating  whistle. 

CRESTED  FLYCATCHER,  page  112. 

C.  Length  7.50  inches;    throat  and  head  black;    breast, 
belly,  and  lower  back  deep  orange;    haunts  fruit  and 
shade  trees;    song,  a  loud,  ringing  whistle. 

BALTIMORE  ORIOLE,  page  103. 

D.  Length    7.20    inches;     crested;     grayish    brown;    a 
black  line  through  the  eye;    tail  tipped  with  yellow; 
generally  seen  in  small  flocks;    note,  thin  and  weak. 

CEDAR  WAXWING,  page  76. 

II.    "With  red  in  the  plumage. 

i.     With  red  on  the  under  parts. 
A.     Throat  red. 

a.  Length  7.25  inches;    wings  and  tail  black;    rest  of 
plumage  bright  scarlet;    call-note,  chip-chirr. 

SCARLET  TANAGER,  page  84. 

b.  Length  6.20  inches;     dull   pinkish   red,   wings   and 
tail  brownish;    frequently  seen  feeding  on  buds  or 
blossoms;  call-note,  a  sharp  chink,  often  uttered  dur- 
ing flight;    song,  a  sweet,  flowing  warble. 

PURPLE  FINCH,  page  166. 

c.  Length  6.20  inches;    dull  red  or  green  tinged  with 
red;     mandibles  crossed;     generally  seen  in   flocks; 
feeds  on  pine  cones.  .    .    .  AM.  CROSSBILL,  page  1 66. 

d.  Length     5.30    inches;      a    red     crown-cap;      back 
streaked  black  and  brown;    breast  rosy;    feeds   on 
seeds  or  catkins REDPOLL,  page  180. 


32 


FIELD  KEY. 

B.     Throat  black. 

a.  Length  8.00  inches;    breast  rose-red,   rest  of  plu- 
mage black  and  white;    song  loud  and  musical;    call- 
note,  peek.  .   .  ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK,  page  168. 

b.  Length  8.00  inches;    a  conspicuous   crest;     region 
about  the  base  of  the  bill  black;    rest  of  the  plumage 
and  bill  red;    song,  a  clear  whistle;    resident  from 
New  York  city  southward.   .    .    .   CARDINAL,  page  94. 

c.  Length   5.40  inches;     wings   and  tail   banded   with 
orange-red,  showing  conspicuously  in  flight;    move- 
ments   active;     much    in    the    air;     tail    frequently 
spread;  haunts  woodland.   .    .    .  REDSTART,  page  70. 

2.     No  red  on  the  under  parts. 

A.  Length  9.50  inches;    black;    shoulders  red;     haunts 
marshes;    migrates  in  flocks. 

RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD,  page  100. 

B.  Length    5.25    inches;     crown-cap    red;     chin    black; 
rest  of  under  parts  streaked  with  blackish;    feeds  on 
seeds  and  catkins  .....   REDPOLL  (im.),   page  180. 

C.  Length  4.00  inches;  under  parts  whitish;  back  olive- 
green;    a  ruby  crown-patch;     eye-ring   white;     move- 
ments restless,  wings  flitted  nervously;  call-note,  each; 
song  remarkably  loud   and   musical; 

RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET,  page  159. 

.     With  blue  in  the  plumage. 

A.  Length   11.50  inches;     a   conspicuous   crest;     upper 
parts   dull  blue;    under  parts   whitish;     a  black  patch 
on  the  breast  ..........   BLUE  JAY,  page   108. 

B.  Length  7.00  inches;    upper  parts  bright  blue;    under 
parts  cinnamon-brown  ......    BLUEBIRD,  page  41. 


FIELD  KEY. 


33 


C.  Length  5.50  inches;    entire  plumage  indigo-blue. 

INDIGO  BUNTING,  page  96. 

D.  Length  13.00  inches;  bluish  gray,  haunts  near  water; 
feeds  on  fish,  which  it  catches  by  darting  on  them  at 
the  surface KINGFISHER,  page  128. 

IV.     Plumage  conspicuously  black,  or  black  and  white, 
i.     Black  and  white  birds. 

A.  Throat  black. 

a.  Length  over  6.00  inches. 

a1.  Entire  under  parts  black;  nape  buffy;  rump 
white;  a  musical  dweller  of  fields  and  meadows; 
frequently  sings  on  the  wing. 

BOBOLINK,   page   169. 

a2.  Breast  rose-red;  rest  of  the  plumage  black  and 
white;  song  rapid,  loud  and  musical;  call-note 
peek;  a  tree  dweller  in  rather  open  woodland. 

ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK,  page  168. 

a3.  Sides  reddish  brown;  rest  of  the  plumage  black 
and  white;  call-note,  chewlnk  or  towhee;  inhabits 
the  undergrowth;  often  seen  on  ground  scratch- 
ing among  fallen  leaves.  .  .  .  TOWHEE,  page  93. 

b.  Length  under  6.00  inches. 

b1.  Crown  black;  cheeks  white;  back  ashy;  un- 
streaked;  call,  chick-a-dee,  or  a  musical,  double- 
noted  whistle;  a  permanent  resident. 

CHICKADEE,  page  178. 

B.  Throat  and  under  parts  white  or  whitish. 

a.  Length  8.50  inches;  upper  parts  blackish  slate- 
color;  tail  tipped  with  white;  a  bird  of  the  air, 
catching  its  insect  food  on  the  wing,  and  occasion- 


34  FIELD  KEY. 

ally  sallying  forth  from  its  exposed  perch  in  pur- 
suit of  a  passing  Crow;  note,  an  unmusical,  steely 
chatter KINGBIRD,  page  in. 

b.     Length  6.90  inches;    upper  parts  washed  with  rusty; 
generally  seen  in  flocks;    terrestrial. 

SNOWFLAKE,  page  180. 

2.     No  white  in  the  plumage. 

A.  Length  19.00  inches;    jet  black. 

AM.  CROW,  page  106. 

B.  Length     12.00    inches;    black    with    metallic    reflec- 
tions;   iris  yellowish;   migrates   in   flocks;     nests   usu- 
ally in  colonies  in  coniferous  trees;    voice  cracked  and 
reedy;    tail  "keeled"  in  short  flights;    a  walker. 

PURPLE  GRACKLE,  page  105. 

C.  Length  9.50  inches;    shoulders  red;  haunts  marshes; 
call,  kong-quer-ree. 

RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD,  page  100. 

D.  Length   7.90  inches;    head   and   neck   coffee-brown; 
frequently  seen  on  the  ground  near  cattle. 

COWBIRD,  page  98. 

V.  Birds  not  included  in  the  preceding  sections  (that 
is,  plumage  without  either  yellow,  orange,  red,  or 
blue;  not  conspicuously  black,  or  black  and  white). 

i.     Under  parts   white   or   whitish,   all   one   color,   without 
streaks  or  spots. 

A.     Back  without  streaks  or  spots. 

a.     Back  olive-green;    gleaners,  exploring  the   foliage 
for  food  or  flitting  about  the  outer  branches. 
a1.     Length  6.25   inches;    a  white  line  over  the   eye 
bordered  by  a  narrow  black  one;    cap  gray;    iris 


FIELD  KEY. 


35 


red;    song,  a  rambling  recitative:     "You  see  it — 
you  know  it — do  you  hear  me?  "  etc. 

RED-EYED  VIREO,  page  71. 

a2.  Length  5.75  inches;  a  white  line  over  the  eye 
not  bordered  by  black;  prefers  the  upper  branches 
of  rows  of  elms  and  other  shade  trees;  song,  a  rich, 
unbroken  warble  with  an  alto  undertone. 

WARBLING  VIREO,  page  72. 

a3.  Length  4.00  inches;  no  white  line  over  the  eye; 
eye-ring  and  wing-bars  white;  a  tiny,  unsuspicious 
bird;  flits  about  the  outer  branches  of  trees  and 
shrubs;  wings  twitched  nervously;  note,  cack, 
song,  a  remarkably  loud,  musical  whistle. 

RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET,  page  159. 

b.  Back  gray  or  bluish  gray. 

b1.  Length  6.50  inches;  a  gray,  crested  bird;  fore- 
head black;  no  white  in  the  tail;  note,  a  whistled 
peto,  peto,  or  hoarse  de-de-de-de;  resident  from 
New  York  city  southward. 

TUFTED  TIT,  page  46. 

b2.  Length  8.50  inches;  a  white  band  at  the  end  of 
the  tail;  a  concealed  orange-red  crest;  a  bird  of 
the  air,  catching  its  insect  food  on  the  wing,  and 
occasionally  sallying  forth  from  its  exposed  perch 
in  pursuit  of  a  passing  Crow;  note,  an  unmusical, 
steely  chatter.  .  *. KINGBIRD,  page  HI. 

c.  Back  brown. 

cl.  Length  5.00  inches;  a  nervous,  restless,  excita- 
ble bird;  tail  often  carried  erect;  song  sweet, 
rapid  and  rippling  delivered  with  abandon. 

HOUSE  WREN,  page  55. 


36  FIELD  KEY. 

c2.     Length  12.25  inches;    slim,  brownish  birds  with 

long  tails;    flight  short  and  noiseless;    perch  in  a 

tree,    not   in    an    exposed   position;     note,    tut-tut, 

cluck -cluck,  and  cozv-cow. 

YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO,  BLACK-BILLED  CUCKOO,  page  130. 

B.     Back  brownish,  streaked. 

a.  Crown  rufous  or  chestnut  without  streaks. 

a1.     Length  5.25  inches;    bill  black;    a  whitish  line 
over  the  eye;    a  familiar  bird  of  lawns  and  door- 
yards;     song,    a   monotonous    chippy-chippy-chippy. 
CHIPPING  SPARROW,  page  90. 

aa.  Length  5.70  inches;  bill  reddish  brown,  back 
rufous  or  rufous-brown;  wing-bars  and  eye-ring 
whitish;  haunts  dry,  bushy  fields  and  pastures; 
song,  a  musical,  plaintive  cher-wee,  chcr-wee,  cher- 
wee,  cheeo,  dee-dee-dee-dee. 

FIELD  SPARROW,  page  91. 

a3.  Length  5.90  inches;  forehead  black;  crown  and 
wings  chestnut-rufous;  flanks  pale  grayish  brown; 
haunts  marshes;  song,  a  rapidly  repeated  weet- 
weet-weet,  etc SWAMP  SPARROW,  page  167. 

b.  Crown  not  rufous  or  chestnut. 

bl.  Length  6.75  inches;  crown  blackish,  with  a  cen- 
tral whitish  stripe;  throat  white;  breast  gray;  a 
yellow  spot  before  the  eye;  haunts  in  and  about 
thickets  and  bushy  woodlands;  song,  a  high,  clear, 
musical  whistle;  call-note,  chink. 

WHITE-THROATED  SPARROW,  page  167. 

b2.  Length  5.20  inches;  bill  slender;  a  white  line 
over  the  eye;  tail  carried  erect;  haunts  reedy 
marshes;  call-note  scolding;  song  rippling. 

LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN,  page  56. 


FIELD  KEY.  3- 

2.     Under  parts  white  or  whitish,  streaked  or  spotted. 

A.  Back  streaked. 

a.  Length  6.10  inches;  outer  tail-feathers  white,  show- 
ing   conspicuously    when    the    bird    flies;     haunts    dry 
fields  and  roadsides;    song  musical. 

VESPER  SPARROW,  page  88. 

b.  Outer  tail-feathers  not  white. 

b1.  Length  6.30  inches;  breast  with  numerous  spots 
tending  to  form  one  large  spot  in  its  center; 
haunts  on  or  near  the  ground,  generally  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  bushes;  call-note,  chimp;  song  musical; 
a  permanent  resident.  .  SONG  SPARROW,  page  92. 

b*.  Length  6.35  inches;  breast  grayish  with  one  spot 
in  its  center TREE  SPARROW,  page  167. 

B.  Back  not  streaked;    breast  spotted. 

a.  Length   11.40  inches;    tail  5.00  inches;     wing-bars 
white;    upper  parts,  wings,  and  tail  bright  cinnamon 
brown;    haunts  undergrowth;    sings  from  an  exposed 
and  generally  elevated  position;    song  loud,  striking, 
and  continuous BROWN  THRASHER,  page  49. 

b.  Length  under  9.00  inches;    tail  under  3.00  inches; 
no  wing-bars;    back  reddish  or  cinnamon-brown. 

&\  Length  8.25  inches;  breast  and  sides  heavily 
marked  with  large,  round,  black  spots;  head  and 
upper  back  brighter  than  lower  back  and  tail;  call- 
note,  a  sharp  pit  or  liquid  quirt. 

WOOD  THRUSH,  page  44. 

b2.  Length  7.15  inches;  breast  with  wedge-shaped 
black  spots;  sides  unspotted,  washed  with  brown- 
ish-ashy; tail  reddish  brown,  brighter  than  back; 
call-note,  a  low  chuck. 

HERMIT  THRUSH,  page  159. 


38  FIELD  KEY. 

bz.  Length  7.50  inches;  upper  breast  lightly  spotted 
with  small,  wedge-shaped,  brownish  spots;  tail  the 
same  color  as  the  back;  sides  white;  call-note,  a 
clearly  whistled  wheeu. 

WILSON'S  THRUSH,  page  159. 

c.  Length  under  9.00  inches;  tail  under  3.00  inches; 
no  wing-bars;  back  olive-green. 

c1.  Length  6.10  inches;  center  of  crown  pale  brown- 
ish bordered  by  black;  haunts  on  or  near  the 
ground  in  woodland;  a  walker;  song,  a  ringing 
crescendo,  teacher,  teacher,  TEACHER,  TEACHER, 
TEACHER OVEN-BIRD,  page  64. 

3.  Under  parts  not  white  or  whitish,  all  one  color,  zvithout 
streaks. 

A.  Length  8.50  inches;  slate-color;  cap  and  tail  black; 
inhabits    the    lower    growth;     call-note,    nasal;     song 
highly  musical  and  varied CATBIRD,  page  52. 

B.  Length  7.20  inches;    grayish  brown;    conspicuously 
crested;    a  black  line  through  the  eye;    tail  tipped  with 
yellow;    generally  seen  in  small  flocks;    note  thin  and 
weak CEDAR  WAXWING,  page  76. 

C.  Length  5.50  inches;    under  parts  cream-buff;    a  con- 
spicuous whitish  line  over  the  eye;    upper  parts'  reddish 
brown;    movements  active;    tail  carried  erect;    haunts 
lower  growth;    notes  loud  and  striking;    resident  from 
New  York  city  southward. 

CAROLINA  WREN,  page  53. 

4.  Throat  and  upper  breast  black  or  slate-color,  very  dif- 
ferent from  the  white  or  chestnut  belly. 

A.     Throat  black. 

a.  Belly  and  rump  chestnut;  head,  wings,  and  tail 
black;  length  7.30  inches;  haunts  orchards  and  shade 
trees;  song  highly  musical. 

ORCHARD  ORIOLE,  page  104. 


FIELD  KEY.  39 

b.  Belly  white;  sides  reddish  brown;  tail  black  and 
white;  length  8.35  inches;  haunts  undergrowths; 
call-note,  chewlnk  or  towhee. 

TOWHEE,  page  93. 

B.     Throat  slate-color. 

a.  Back  and  wings  slate-color;  outer  tail-feathers  and 
belly  white;  length  6.25  inches;  haunts  generally  on 
or  near  the  ground  about  shrubbery. 

JUNCO,  page  167. 

5.  Throat  streaked  with  black  and  white;  rest  of  under 
parts  reddish  brown;  upper  parts  grayish  slate-color; 
length  10.00  inches ROBIN,  page  42. 


4O  SIZE  OF  BIRDS. 


SIZE  OF  BIRDS. 

Birds  are  measured  from  the  tip  of  the  bill  to  the 
end  of  the  tail.  An  English  Sparrow  is  about  6% 
inches  long  and  a  Robin  10  inches. 


BLUEBIRD. 


Bluebird:   Sialia  sialis. 

Length  7  inches. 

Upper  parts  azure  blue. 

Throat  and  breast  cinnamon-brown;    belly  white. 

Female  much  duller. 

Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

The  Bluebird  seems  to  have  all  those  qualities  which 
endear  a  bird  to  man.  Cheery,  confiding,  brave,  use- 
ful, and  beautiful,  he  holds  a  secure  place  in  our  affec- 
tions. We  are  fortunate  in  having  him  with  us  all 
the  year  round,  except  for  brief  periods  in  mid-winter 
when  unusual  cold  or  storms  drive  him  farther  south, 
but  with  the  first  mild  breath  he  returns,  and  on  any 


42  ROBIN. 

bright  day  after  the  middle  of  February  we  may  hear 
his  glad  prophecy  of  spring.  He  has  a  soft  contralto 
voice,  exquisitely  sweet,  and  "  the  very  soul  of  ten- 
derness." His  song  is  broken  into  short  phrases, 
often  given  on  the  wing. 

Bluebirds  are  among  the  earliest  birds  to  build, 
and  need  but  little  encouragement  to  put  their  sum- 
mer home  near  ours.  A  small  box  with  a  hole  in  it, 
set  up  on  a  post,  pleases  them  as  well  as  an  elaborate 
bird-house,  and  a  Bluebird  family  will  sensibly  dimin- 
ish the  numbers  of  caterpillars,  spiders,  beetles  and 
grasshoppers  in  the  vicinity.  They  also  build  in  holes 
in  trees,  stumps  or  fence  posts,  stuffing  in,  rather  care- 
lessly, dried  grasses  and  feathers.  The  eggs,  4  to  6, 
are  light  blue,  unmarked. 

Bird  lovers  have  noticed  with  regret  the  compara- 
tive scarcity-  of  Bluebirds  since  the  great  blizzard  of 
1895,  when  large  numbers  perished,  and  Professor 
Beal  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  recommends 
that  "  more  than  ordinary  vigilance  should  be  exer- 
cised in  protecting  them  until  they  have  regained  their 
normal  abundance." 

American  Robin:  Merula  migratoria. 

Length  10  inches. 

Upper  parts  dark  brownish-gray;  head  and  tail  black,  the 
outer  tail-feathers  tipped  with  white. 

Lower    parts    chestnut-red;     throat    white,    streaked    with 
black. 
Resident  all  the  year,  uncommon  in  summer. 

While  the  Robin  is  not  common  here  in  nesting 
time,  he  is  abundant  in  spring  and  fall  migration,  and 
is  sometimes  found  in  winter,  in  small  flocks  in  shel- 
tered places.  In  April  and  May,  or  even  in  March, 


ROBIN, 


43 


he  may  be  seen  in  the  Smithsonian  grounds  running 
over  the  grass  in  search  of  grubs  and  angle  worms. 

The  friendliness  of  the  Robin,  and  his  joyous  swing- 
ing song  have  made  him  universally  loved  wherever 
he  nests,  but  in  the  south,  where  he  winters  in  great 
flocks  and  seldom  sings,  he  is  considered  only  as  a 
table  delicacy,  and  it  is  feared  that  he  may  soon  be 
classed  among  our  rarer  birds.  In  the  winter  of 
1896-7,  more  than  3000  Robins  were  offered  in  the 
Washington  market! 

The  nest  is  very  substantial,  of  coarse  grasses  and 
rootlets,  with  an  inner  wall  of  mud  and  a  lining  of 
fine  grasses.  It  is  built  usually  in  fruit  or  shade  trees, 
but  occasionally  in  odd  places,  even  on  the  ground. 
Two  broods  are  raised  in  a  season,  and  generally  a 
new  nest  is  built  each  time,  the  second  not  far  from 
the  first.  The  eggs,  4,  are  a  beautiful  greenish-blue 
without  marks. 

The  Robin  is  one  of  our  most  useful  birds,  more 
than  a  third  of  his  food  being  harmful  insects.  Al- 
though fond  of  fruit,  he  eats  ten  times  as  much  wild 
as  cultivated,  and  we  will  not  grudge  him  the  tithe 
he  takes  from  our  gardens  and  orchards,  in  considera- 
tion of  the  inroads  he  makes  on  injurious  bugs  and 
caterpillars.  Dr.  Coues  says:  "  Few  persons  have 
any  adequate  idea  of  the  enormous,  the  literally  incal- 
culable numbers  of  insects  Robins  eat  every  year." 


44  WOOD   THRUSH. 

Wood  Thrush:   Turdus  mustelinus. 

Length  about  8^  inches. 

Upper  parts  bright  cinnamon-brown. 

Under  parts  cream-white,  thickly  marked  with  large  black 
spots,  except  on  the  throat  and  middle  of  the  belly. 

Resident  (common)  from  April  20  to  October  "15;  winters 
in  Central  America. 

"The  Heavenly  Thrush!"  This  was  Audubon's 
favorite  songster,  as  he  has  been  of  many  another 
nature-lover,  for  his  song  seems  to  voice  the  very 
spirit  of  the  woods.  Heard  at  evening  when  the  lin- 
gering radiance  of  sunset  fills  the  grove  and  glorifies 
the  singer,  it  is  especially  entrancing.  While  he  may 
sing  at  any  time,  one  is  most  sure  of  hearing  him  at 
sunset  and  in  the  early  morning,  or  on  a  cloudy  day. 
His  call-note  is  whit,  whit,  much  like  that  of  the 
Robin,  but  softer.  * 

This  beautiful  Thrush  is  an  inhabitant  of  most 
woods  about  Washington,  nesting  in  the  undergrowth, 
usually  in  a  young  dogwood  tree  or  high  bush.  He 
builds  in  a  crotch,  beginning  with  a  few  dead  leaves 
which  hang  loosely  below  the  nest,  giving  the  effect 
which  he  probably  intended,  of  its  being  only  a  bunch 
of  litter  left  from  winter  storms.  The  outside  is  of 
leaves,  twigs  and  rootlets,  firmly  interwoven,  and  in- 
side is  a  wall  of  mud  which  is  lined  with  fine  rootlets. 
The  eggs,  3  to  5,  are  pale  greenish-blue  like  the 
Robin's. 

The  only  bird  with  which  the  Wood  Thrush  is 
likely  to  be  confused  outside  of  migration  time  is  the 
Brown  Thrasher.  The  color  and  markings  of  the 
two  birds  are  much  the  same,  but  the  Thrasher  is  a 
slender  bird  with  a  very  long  tail,  while  the  Thrush  is 
rather  stocky,  so  that  one  soon  comes  to  know  them 
apart,  even  at  a  distance.  We  have  a  number  of 


BL  UE-  GRA  Y  GNA  TCA  TCHER.  45 

Thrushes  in  migration,  but  the  Wood  Thrush  may 
be  known  from  them  all  by  the  black  spots  on  the 
breast  extending  over  the  sides  and  up  under  the  wings. 
He  is  also  larger  than  the  other  Thrushes  and  of  a 
brighter  color.  He  may  always  be  heard  in  May  and 
June  in  the  wilder  parts  of  the  Zoological  Park. 

Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher:  Polioptila  ccerulea. 

Length  4^  inches;    long  tail. 

Upper  parts  bluish-gray;  forehead  and  tail  black;  outer 
tail-feathers  white. 

Under  parts  grayish-white. 

Female  and  young  without  black  forehead. 

Resident  (not  uncommon)  from  April  5  to  September; 
winters  in  Central  America,  Cuba  and  the  Bahamas. 

The  tiny  Gnatcatcher's  conspicuous  feature  is  his 
long  black  and  white  tail,  which  is  usually  open  and 
in  motion  as  he  flits  about  in  the  tree  tops. 

This  dainty  wood-sprite  will  be  found  in  wet  woods 
where  gnats  and  other  small-winged  insects  are  abun- 
dant. At  the  Virginia  end  of  Long  Bridge  there  is  a 
point  of  wooded  land,  running  south,  which  is  the 
favorite  haunt  of  many  birds  and  particularly  of  the 
little  Gnatcatcher.  He  is  also  found  in  woods  adjoin- 
ing the  Mount  Vernon  grounds,  and  Miss  Merriam 
discovered  two  nests  in  the  Zoo  and  one  on  High 
Island.  The  High  Island  nest  was  only  six  feet  from 
the  ground,  but  usually  these  birds  build  much  higher. 
The  nest  is  an  exquisite  little  structure,  stuccoed  with 
lichens  like  the  Hummingbird's.  There  is  a  group  at 
the  Smithsonian,  showing  the  mother-bird  sitting  and 
being  fed  by  her  mate. 

The  Gnatcatcher's  song  is  a  soft  sweet  warble,  and 
his  call-note  has  been  likened  to  the  "  ting "  of  a 
banjo  string. 


46  TUFTED   TITMOUSE. 

Tufted  Titmouse:  Parus  bicolor. 

Length  6  inches. 

Upper  parts  ashy-gray;    forehead  black. 

Under  parts  whitish,  sides  rusty. 

A  conspicuous  crest. 

Resident  (very  common)  all  the  year. 

There  are  three  woodland  birds  which  are  fre- 
quently together  outside  the  nesting  season — the 
Tufted  Titmouse,  Chickadee,  and  Nuthatch.  When 
the  clear,  whistling  peto  of  the  Titmouse  is  heard  it  is 
likely  to  be  followed  by  the  day-day-day  of  the  Chick- 
adee and  the  yank-yank  of  the  Nuthatch.  Downy 
Woodpeckers  are  often  in  the  same  company, 
and  in  winter  Kinglets  and  Creepers  join  them  and 
they  wander  about,  a  merry  flock,  feeding  in  open  or 
dense  woods  as  the  weather  or  their  fancy  dictates. 
They  are  generally  led  by  the  Tufted  Tits  and  Chick- 
adees, who  flit  on  ahead  to  "  pastures  new,"  con- 
stantly calling  the  others  to  follow.  All  of  these  birds 
spend  much  of  their  time  creeping  over  the  trunks 
and  branches  of  trees  searching  for  insects,  larvae 
and  eggs. 

The  Tufted  Titmouse  is  recognized  by  his  crest, 
and  as  he  is  not  shy  it  is  easy  to  get  near  him, 
although  his  restlessness  tries  one's  patience.  These 
birds  are  abundant  in  the  vicinity  of  Washington  and 
are  occasionally  found  within  the  city  limits.  Warren 
says  they  sometimes  build  in  boxes  about  houses. 

The  nest  is  usually  in  a  tree  or  stump,  either  a 
natural  cavity  or  a  Woodpecker's  hole.  This  they 
line  luxuriously  with  moss,  leaves  and  feathers.  The 
mother-bird  has  a  pretty  habit  of  adding  to  her  house- 
furnishing  after  the  eggs  are  laid  and  she  is  sitting; 
when  she  goes  off  for  food  she  brings  back  a  bit  of 


CAROLINA    CHICKADEE. 


47 


feather  or  fur  to  make  the  cosy  nest  still  softer. 
Collectors  have  been  deceived  by  this,  and  supposing 
the  nest  unfinished  have  visited  it  later  for  the  eggs 
to  find  it  full  of  young  birds.  Six  white  speckled 
eggs  are  laid. 

Carolina  Chickadee:  Parus  carolinensis. 

Length  about  4^  inches. 

Top  of  head  and  throat  glossy  black;    cheeks  pure  white; 
the  rest  of  the  body  ashy-gray,  under  parts  lighter. 
Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

The  Chickadee  is  a  fluffy,  restless  mite  of  a  bird, 
very  common,  especially  in  winter,  but  he  is  oftener 
heard  than  seen.  His  loud  whistling  song  is  written, 
wheedle-lec ,  whe e die-lay ,  and  he  also  calls  dee-dee-dee, 
rather  softly  as  he  flits  about  the  trees,  searching  in 
the  crevices  of  bark  for  insects  and  their  eggs.  He 
is  shy  and  retiring  in  the  nesting  season,  but  at  other 
times  he  is  very  friendly,  and  will  even  come  about 
the  house,  picking  up  seeds  and  bread-crumbs  thrown 
out  to  him. 

He  builds  in  holes,  either  remodelling  a  Wood- 
pecker's hole,  or  digging  one  out  for  himself  in  rather 
soft  dead  wood.  His  bill  is  arched  and  strong,  and 
he  likes  a  deep  nest,  so  he  works  away — with  the 
help  of  his  mate — until  the  hole  is  from  six  to  twelve 
inches  deep.  Although  the  entrance  is  small,  the 
nest  is  roomy  at  the  bottom,  and  the  soft  lining  is  of 
moss,  feathers,  hair  and  wool — sometimes  a  bit  of 
squirrel  or  rabbit  fur.  The  eggs,  6  to  8,  are  white, 
spotted  with  brown. 


48  WHITE-BREASTED  NUTHATCH. 

White-breasted  Nuthatch:   Sitta  carolinensis. 

Length  6  inches. 

Upper  parts  bluish  gray;    top  of  head  glossy  black. 

Under  parts  and  sides  of  head  white. 

Tail  white  with  black  patches. 

Resident  all  the  year,  more  common  in  winter. 

The  nasal  yank,  yank  of  the  Nuthatch  is  a  common 
sound  in  our  woods  when  the  nesting  season  is  over 
and  birds  begin  to  gather  in  flocks.  This  call  of  the 
Nuthatch  is  so  peculiar  that  it  is  soon  learned,  and 
his  characteristic  habit  of  creeping  down  tree  trunks 
head-first  identifies  him  to  the  eye.  Besides  insects, 
he  eats  nuts,  acorns  and  corn,  which  he  hammers  into 
the  crevices  of  rough  bark  or  into  cracks  in  fence 
rails,  and  then  splits  open  with  his  sharp,  strong  bill. 
Like  his  comrades,  the  Titmouse  and  Chickadee,  he 
nests  in  holes,  often  in  one  that  a  Downy  Wood- 
pecker has  deserted,  lining  it  with  grasses,  hair  and 
feathers.  Five  speckled  eggs  are  laid. 


BROWN  THRASHER. 


49 


BROWN  THRASHER. 

Brown  Thrasher;  Brown  Thrush:  Harporhynchus 
rufus. 

Length  nl/2  inches;    very  long  tail. 
Upper  parts  reddish-brown;    two  whitish  wing-bars. 
Under  parts  white,  streaked  with  black. 
Resident    (very   common)   from   April    15  to   October   15; 
winters  in  the  Southern  States. 

The  Thrasher  is  one  of  our  finest  songsters.  When 
he  mounts  to  a  tree-top  and  pours  out  his  soul  only 
the  Mockingbird  can  be  compared  with  him.  There 
is  indeed  a  decided  resemblance  in  their  songs,  and 
in  Maryland  the  Thrasher  is  called  Sandy  Mocking- 
bird, while  farther  south  he  goes  by  the  name  of 
French  Mockingbird.  Although  he  sings  in  tree- 
tops,  he  lives  near  the  ground  and  is  often  seen  in 
road-side  thickets,  or  dusting  himself  in  the  road, — 


50  MOCKINGBIRD. 

themselves,  we  should  say,  for  the  pair  are  generally 
together  unless  one  is  on  the  nest.  In  the  woods  they 
scratch  in  dead  leaves  for  bugs  and  worms,  making 
as  much  noise  as  chickens. 

Brown  Thrashers  are  noted  for  devotion  to  their 
nest,  and  most  pathetic  is  their  pleading  whee-u  when 
it  is  approached;  sometimes  one  will  try  to  lure  you 
from  the  place  by  lighting  a  little  distance  away  and 
singing  to  you  very  softly  and  sweetly.  Once  when 
I  stumbled  on  a  Thrasher  family  where  the  young 
were  evidently  just  out  of  the  nest,  the  old  birds  be- 
came so  wild  with  fright  that  I  was  about  to  retreat, 
when  one  of  them  flew  to  a  low  branch  between  me 
and  the  rest  of  the  family,  and  sang  an  exquisite 
whisper-song  with  the  obvious  intention  of  charming 
me  into  forgetfulness  of  the  precious  fledglings. 

The  nest  is  on  or  near  the  ground,  and  the  eggs, 
3  to  6,  are  dull  white,  thickly  speckled  with  brown. 
The  Thrasher  is  distinguished  from  a  Thrush  by  his 
long  tail  and  light  wing-bars.  Langille  says  that  he 
is  easily  domesticated  and  capable  of  remarkable 
friendship  for  man. 

Mockingbird:  Mimus polyglottos. 

Length  10^2  inches. 

Upper  parts  ashy-gray;  wings  and  tail  blackish,  marked 
with  white. 

Under  parts  grayish-white. 

Resident  (uncommon)  all  the  year;  winters  from  Virginia 
southward. 

This  famous  vocalist  rarely  nests  here,  although  he 
is  found  rather  commonly  at  Colonial  Beach,  Piney 
Point,  and  other  summer  resorts  somewhat  south  of 
us,  and  in  lower  Maryland  breeds  abundantly. 


MO  CK 'ING  BIRD.  5  I 

He  is  likely  to  build  in  thickets  in  open  country, 
and  in  shrubbery  about  dwellings.  Mr.  Ridgway 
says  a  bunch  of  low,  thick-topped  trees  canopied  with 
wild  grapevine  suits  him  excellently,  and  Mr.  William 
Palmer  found  a  nest  in  an  old  apple  tree.  The  nest 
is  bulky,  much  like  a  Catbird's,  and  the  bluish-gray 
eggs,  4  to  6,  are  thickly  speckled  with  brown.  Two 
broods,  sometimes  three,  are  raised  in  a  season. 

Mockingbirds  are  scarcely  more  rare  about  Wash- 
ington in  winter  than  in  summer;  Mr.  W.  F.  Roberts 
has  eight  winter  records. 


CA  TBIRD. 


CATBIRD. 

Catbird:   Galeoscoptes  carolinensis. 

Length  about  9  inches. 

General  color  slaty-gray;    cap  and  tail  black. 
Chestnut-red  patch  under  base  of  tail. 

Resident  from  April  20  to  October;  winters  in  the  South- 
ern States,  Cuba,  and  Central  America. 

The  Catbird  is  one  of  the  best  known  of  our  sum- 
mer residents,  being  a  tenant  of  most  thickets,  gar- 
dens and  lawns  in  the  country,  and  also  of  the  shrub- 
bery in  our  city  parks.  He  is  easily  recognized  by 
the  mewing  cry  which  gives  him  his  name,  and  by  a 
nervous  jerking  of  the  tail  when  perching. 

His  song  is  varied,  and  often  exceedingly  sweet, 
but  he  is  a  bird  of  surprises  and  we  never  know  just 
what  to  expect  from  him.  He  has  the  family  gift 
of  mimicry  (shared  with  the  Mockingbird  and 


CAROLINA    WREN. 


53 


Thrasher)  and  we  have  many  a  time  chased  a  strange 
note  to  find  it  coming  from  this  old  and  supposedly 
well-known  friend. 

The  Catbird  is  shrewd  and  suspicious,  always  look- 
ing out  for  trespassers  on  what  he  considers  his 
domain,  and  usually  successful  in  driving  off  an  in- 
truder, whether  it  be  squirrel,  cat  or  innocent  bird- 
student;  none  will  stay  long  to  be  pelted  with  his 
harsh  cries.  He  is  truly  the  policeman  of  the 
thickets,  and  one  suspects  this  to  be  the  reason  that 
timid  birds,  like  the  Wood  Thrush  and  Chewink,  so 
often  build  their  nests  near  his. 

Two  broods  are  raised  in  a  season,  and  the  bulky 
nest,  built  in  a  high  bush  or  briary  tangle,  is  of  twigs, 
rootlets  and  grasses.  The  eggs,  4,  are  deep  greenish- 
blue,  unmarked. 

The  Catbird's  love  of  fruit  has  given  him  a  bad 
reputation,  but  it  has  been  found  that  he  does  more 
good  than  harm,  nearly  half  his  food  being  injurious 
insects.  He  also  prefers  wild  fruit  to  cultivated,  and 
likes  the  Russian  mulberry  best  of  all,  so  fruit- 
growers are  urged  to  plant  a  few  wild  berries  in  the 
garden,  and  an  occasional  mulberry  tree  in  the 
orchard. 

Carolina  Wren;   Mocking  Wren:  Thryothorus  ludo- 
vicianus. 

Length  5^  inches. 

Upper  parts  dark  reddish-brown;  wings  and  tail  barred 
with  black. 

Under  parts  buffy.    A  distinct  white  line  over  the  eye. 
Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

This  Wren  has  a  delightful  voice,  and  we  are  espec- 
ially fond  of  him  because  he  sings  when  other  birds 


54  CAROLINA    WREN. 

are  quiet,  even  occasionally  in  winter.  In  the  great 
blizzard  of  1895,  when  the  storm  was  at  its  height, 
Mr.  Ridgway  heard  the  loud,  ringing  voice  of  a  Caro- 
lina Wren. 

His  common  song  is  a  whistling  whee-o-lee,  three 
or  four  times  repeated,  the  accent  either  on  the  first 
or  last  syllable.  Sometimes  only  two  notes  are  heard, 
whee-o,  when  it  sounds  like  a  Cardinal's  call.  He  also 
occasionally  gives  a  varied  performance  resembling  a 
Mockingbird's,  from  which  he  is  named  Mocking 
Wren.  He  lives  in  woods  bordering  streams,  and 
is  abundant  all  along  Rock  Creek  and  the  Potomac. 

While  one  may  usually  hear  the  Carolina,  finding 
him  is  quite  another  matter.  He  seems  to  delight  in 
playing  hide-and-seek  with  the  observer,  keeping 
warily  to  the  opposite  side  of  a  tree  or  stump,  and 
flying  entirely  away  if  too  closely  pursued.  Look 
for  him  in  wild,  secluded  places ;  on  fallen  trees,  about 
old  logs  and  stumps,  and  under  turf  which  overhangs 
small  streams.  When  you  catch  sight  of  him  you 
will  be  astonished  that  so  great  a  voice  can  belong  to 
so  small  a  bird,  for  he  is  but  little  larger  than  the 
House  Wren  and  much  resembles  him,  his  distin- 
guishing marks  being  the  white  line  over  the  eye,  the 
more  rusty  back,  and  buffy  under  parts.  The  nest  is 
usually  in  a  hole  in  a  stump  or  log,  and  is  built  of 
grasses,  moss,  feathers  and  hair.  The  eggs,  6  to  7, 
are  white,  with  lavender  markings. 


HOUSE  WREN. 


55 


House  Wren:   Troglodytes  a'edon. 

Length  5  inches. 

Upper  parts  brown;  wings  and  tail  finely  barred  with 
black. 

Under  parts  dull  whitish. 

Resident  from  April  15  to  September;  winters  in  the 
Southern  States. 

If  one  wishes  these  merry  little  birds  around  a 
country  house,  he  need  only  put  up,  out  of  the  reach 
of  cats,  a  box  or  gourd  with  a  hole  in  the  side  about 


56  LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 

an  inch  in  diameter — large  enough  for  the  Wrens 
and  too  small  for  English  Sparrows.  Whatever  is 
given  them  they  will  first  nearly  fill  with  twigs,  and 
upon  them  build  the  nest.  They  also  nest  in  hollow 
fence-posts  or  rails,  in  cavities  in  stumps  and  trees, 
and  sometimes  in  most  surprising  places,  such  as  an 
old  hat  or  boot,  the  sleeve  or  pocket  of  a  coat,  or 
perhaps  in  the  gourd-shaped  mud  nest  of  the  Eave 
Swallow.  One  pair  built  in  a  teakettle,  carrying  twigs 
and  other  material  in  through  the  spout,  and  at  the 
home  of  Mr.  Ridgway  they  built  in  a  clothes-pin  bag 
left  hanging  outside,  the  hole  made  by  the  drawing- 
string  being  just  the  right  size.  They  doubtless 
thought  that  the  pins  in  the  bottom  of  the  bag  had 
been  kindly  left  there  to  lessen,  their  labors. 

House  Wrens,  if  undisturbed,  will  return  to  the 
same  place  year  after  year.  Two  broods  are  raised 
in  a  season,  and  the  pinkish  eggs,  6  to  9,  are  thickly 
speckled  with  brown.  These  Wrens  have  a  gushing, 
rippling  little  song,  given  with  great  animation  and 
persistency. 

Long-billed  Marsh  Wren:   Cistothorus  palustris. 

Length  about  5  inches. 

Upper  parts  dark  brown,  streaked  on  the  back  with  black 
and  white. 

Under  parts  pure  white;    brown  along  the  sides. 

Wings  and  tail  barred  with  black;  a  white  line  over  the 
eye. 

Resident  (abundant)  from  April  30  to  October  30;  winters 
in  the  Gulf  States  and  Mexico. 

Down  on  the  Potomac  marshes  below  Analostan 
Island,  and  also  on  the  Eastern  Branch  near  Ben- 
ning's  Bridge,  Marsh  Wrens  may  be  found,  and  they 


LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN.  57 

are  such  eccentric,  entertaining  little  creatures,  that 
it  is  well  worth  while  to  hunt  them  out.  Usually 
there  are  numbers  of  them  together,  and  as  they  all 
talk  at  once  and  are  constantly  in  motion,  it  is  a  very 
lively  corner  of  Birdland.  Perched  on  a  swaying 
reed,  with  head  thrown  back  and  tail  cocked  so  that 
he  looks  half  his  real  size,  the  Marsh  Wren  will  gurgle 
and  twitter  at  you  for  perhaps  half  a  minute,  when, 
his  curiosity  being  satisfied,  he  is  off  about  his  own 
very  important  business. 

The  occupations  of  ordinary  bird-life  are  not  suf- 
ficient for  these  energetic  Wrens,  and  they  amuse 
themselves  with  building  superfluous  nests,  sometimes 
half  a  dozen  that  are  never  used.  The  nest  is  very 
artistic,  shaped  like  a  ball,  the  entrance  a  hole  at  one 
side.  It  is  built  over  the  water,  in  tall  reeds,  several 
of  which  are  woven  into  it  with  swamp  grass.  The 
nest  that  is  to  be  the  home  is  better  finished  than  the 
others,  and  stuffed  nearly  full  of  soft  bits  of  leaves, 
fine  grasses,  and  plant  down. 

Marsh  Wrens  raise  large  families,  often  eight  or 
nine  little  Wrenkins  crowding  the  grassy  nest.  The 
eggs  are  so  thickly  speckled  that  they  are  of  a  nearly 
uniform  brown  color.  The  food  of  these  Wrens  is 
water-spiders,  water-beetles,  and  other  aquatic  in- 
sects. 


WARBLERS. 

This  is  a  large  and  puzzling  family.  -  When  the 
student  has  conquered  all  the  rest  of  his  bird  world, 
there  will  still  remain  some  unidentified  Warblers  to 
give  zest  to  woodland  excursions.  They  have  been 
described  as  "  among  our  most  abundant,  most  beau- 
tiful and  least  known  birds." 

Warblers  that  live  near  the  ground,  or  in  the  lower 
stories  of  trees,  as  do  most  of  those  that  nest  in  this 
part  of  the  country,  are  comparatively  easy  to  find 
and  identify;  the  tantalizing  ones  are  those  that  are 
here  only  in  migrations  and  are  likely  to  keep  in  the 
tree-tops,  where  they  are  so  incessantly  active  that  an 
opera-glass  seems  of  little  use.  These  are  very  small 
and  have  conspicuous  white  markings  on  the  tail, 
which  is  frequently  spread  as  they  flit  among  :he 
branches. 

Contrary  to  what  would  be  expected  from  the 
name,  few  of  this  family  are  fine  songsters,  and  the 
tree-top  Warblers  in  particular  have  small,  thin  voices 
that  attract  little  attention,  but  the  student  soon  comes 
to  recognize  their  lisping,  semi-musical  notes,  and  to 
be  alert  for  new  species. 

The  wooded  bank  of  the  Potomac  on  the  Virginia 
side,  from  Rosslyn  to  Chain  Bridge,  is  a  favorite 
ground  for  Warblers,  both  migrants  and  residents. 
It  was  near  Chain  Bridge  that  Dr.  T.  S.  Palmer  saw 
five  species  in  one  tree.  In  the  Zoo  one  of  the  best 
places  to  find  them  is  the  bushy  border  of  Rock 
Creek,  just  below  the  Prairie  Dog  enclosure. 


WORM-EATING  WARBLER.  59 

Black  and  White  Warbler:  Mniotilta  varia. 

Length  about  5%  inches. 

Male,  finely  streaked  black  and  white  all  over. 

Female,  brown  where  the  male  is  black,  breast  but  faintly 
striped. 

Resident  (abundant)  from  April  I2th  to  October  I5th;  win- 
ters from  Florida  southward.  ' 

The  little  Black  and  White  Creeper  is  common  in 
high  open  woods,  where  he  is  always  scrambling  over 
tree  trunks  and  branches,  hunting  spiders  and  other 
insects.  One  may  at  first  think  him  the  Downy 
Woodpecker,  but  the  Creeper  is  smaller  and  his 
stripes  are  finer  and  more  uniform. 

This  Warbler's  ground  nest  is  exquisitely  dainty, 
and  so  cunningly  hidden  at  the  foot  of  a  tree  or  stump 
as  to  be  rarely  discovered.  But  if  you  see  a  mother- 
bird  with  a  worm  in  her  mouth  and  can  patiently 
wait  until  her  suspicions  of  you  are  quieted,  you  may 
be  rewarded  by  seeing  her  drop  straight  to  the  nest 
instead  of  going  down  at  some  distance  from  it  and 
running  along,  as  most  ground-building  birds  do. 
The  eggs,  4  to  5,  are  white,  speckled  with  brown, 
chiefly  at  the  larger  end. 

The  Creeping  Warbler  has  a  wiry  little  voice,  not 
very  musical,  but  it  is  always  a  welcome  sound,  an- 
nouncing his  gentle  presence  in  the  neighborhood. 

Worm-eating  Warbler:  Helmitherus  vermivorus. 

Length  5^  inches. 

Upper  parts  uniform  olive-green. 

Under  parts  buffy-white. 

Four  distinct  black  lines  on  the  buffy  head,  two  passing 
through  the  eyes. 

Resident  (rather  common)  from  May  I  to  September;  win- 
ters in  the  tropics. 

The  Worm-eating  Warbler  is  found  in  dense  under- 
growth, especially  in  that  of  thickly  wooded  ravines, 


60  BLUE-WINGED   WARBLER. 

such  as  are  along  Rock  Creek,  and  the  Potomac  on 
the  Virginia  side.  He  resembles  the  Oven-bird  in 
habits  and  general  appearance,  but  the  four  black 
stripes  on  his  head  and  his  unmarked  breast  will  dis- 
tinguish him  from  that  species.  He  spends  much 
time  on  the  ground  hunting  worms  and  spiders,  and 
flies  to  a  low  perch  when  disturbed,  quite  like  the 
Oven-bird;  like  him  also  he  builds  a  sheltered  nest 
of  dead  leaves  and  rootlets,  which  Dr.  Richmond  says 
is  nearly  always  lined  with  the  reddish  stems  of  moss. 
The  eggs,  4  to  5,  are  minutely  speckled  with  cinna- 
mon-brown. 

The  song  of  this  Warbler  is  much  like  that  of  the 
Chipping  Sparrow,  though  faster. 

Blue- winged  Warbler:  Helminthophila pinus. 

Length  less  than  5  inches. 

Crown  and  under  parts  bright  yellow;  a  black  line  through 
the  eye. 

Back  bright  olive-green;  wings  and  tail  grayish-blue; 
white  wing-bars  and  tail-patches. 

A  rare  summer  resident  and  not  common  in  migrations; 
winters  in  the  tropics. 

These  rarely  seen  Warblers  live  in  wild  thickets 
bordering  woods,  and  in  open,  scrubby  woodland. 
They  are  great  insect-hunters  and  when  fruit-trees 
are  in  blossom  sometimes  visit  orchards.  Their  com- 
mon song  is  "  two  drawled  wheezy  notes  swee-chee; 
the  first  inhaled,  the  second  exhaled." 

The  nest  is  on  the  ground,  and  the  eggs,  4  to  6, 
are  lightly  speckled. 


YELLOW  WARBLER.  6 1 

Parula  Warbler:   Compsothlypis  americana. 

Length  less  than  5  inches. 

Upper  parts  bluish-gray,  a  yellowish  patch  on  the  back. 
Throat  and  breast  yellow,  a  dark  band  across  the  breast. 

Resident  (uncommon)  from  April  20  to  October  15;  win- 
ters from  Florida  southward. 

Parulas  are  common  in  migration  but  rare  at  other 
times.  Some,  however,  always  nest  near  Kensington, 
and  at  Great  Falls  on  the  Virginia  side,  building  in 
the  hanging  Usnea  moss  which  grows  in  those  locali- 
ties. One  of  their  dainty  nests  may  be  seen  at  the 
Smithsonian.  The  eggs,  4  to  5,  are  creamy  white, 
lightly  speckled  with  cinnamon-brown. 

The  song  of  the  Parula  is  described  as  "  a  short 
insect-like  buzz." 

Yellow  Warbler;  Summer  Yellowbird:  Dendroica 
cestiva. 

Length  about  5  inches. 
Male,  general  color,  bright  yellow. 
Under  parts  streaked  with  chestnut-red. 
Female,  much  duller,  without  streaked  breast. 
Resident  (common)  from  April  20  to  September  30;    win- 
ters in  Northern  South  America. 

Yellow  Warblers  are  abundant  in  spring,  and  by 
the  last  week  in  April  their  happy  voices  are  heard 
all  over  the  city.  Their  song  is  a  pleasant  little 
warble,  that  has  been  written,  wee-chee,  chee-chee, 
cher-wee. 

Most  of  them  soon  pass  on  north  or  into  the  coun- 
try, but  some  always  remain  to  nest  in  the  parks  and 
gardens  of  the  city.  They  build  in  shrubbery  or  in 
the  smaller  trees,  and  the  nest  is  usually  in  an  upright 
fork.  Fine  grasses  and  plant-down  are  the  choice 
materials  used,  very  compactly  woven  together.  The 


62  PINE   WARBLER. 

eggs,  4  to  5,  are  bluish  white,  thickly  speckled  with 
brown. 

In  the  country  these  Warblers  are  frequently  im- 
posed upon  by  the  Cowbird,  but  they  show  great 
ingenuity  in  getting  rid  of  the  obnoxious  egg  by 
building  a  second  story  to  their  nest,  thus  covering  it 
out  of  sight. 

Yellow  Warblers  are  among  our  most  useful  bird 
citizens,  for  besides  winged-insects  they  eat  canker- 
worms,  spiders,  plant-lice  and  small  beetles. 

Yellow-throated  Warbler:  Dendroica  dominica. 

Length  5^4  inches. 

Upper  parts  gray;  a  yellow  line  in  front  of  the  eye  and  a 
white  line  over  it. 

Forehead  and  cheeks  black;  white  patch  on  side  of  the 
neck;  two  white  wing-bars. 

Throat  and  breast  yellow;  belly  white,  sides  streaked  with 
black. 

A  rare  summer  resident,  sometimes  common  in  late  July; 
winters  in  the  tropics. 

This  handsome  Warbler  frequents  woods  that  bor- 
der streams,  but  he  is  a  southern  bird  and  is  seldom 
common  as  far  north  as  this.  His  song  is  said  to 
resemble  that  of  the  Indigo-bird. 

The  nest  is  high  in  trees,  often  in  pines.  The  eggs, 
4  to  5,  are  thickly  speckled  with  brown. 

Pine  Warbler:  Dendroica  vigor  sii. 

Length  5^  inches. 

Upper  parts  bright  olive-green;  two  whitish  wing-bars; 
white  patches  on  outer  tail-feathers. 

Under  parts  bright  yellow.     Female  much  duller. 

Resident  (rare  in  early  summer)  from  March  28  to  October 
25;  winters  in  the  Southern  States  and  the  Bahamas. 

The  Pine  Warbler  is  well  named,  for  he  is  seldom 
found  elsewhere  than  in  pine  woods,  where  he  hunts 


PRAIRIE   WARBLER,  63 

the  trees  over  in  search  of  the  insects  which  live  in 
crevices  of  the  bark. 

The  nest  is  built  at  the  end  of  a  branch,  where  it 
is  concealed  by  a  tuft  of  pine  needles.  Four  white 
eggs  are  laid,  speckled  with  purple  and  brown.  Al- 
though but  few  of  these  Warblers  nest  in  this  vicinity 
they  are  very  common  in  early  autumn,  from  the  first 
of  August  to  about  the  end  of  September.  Their 
song  is  a  clear,  musical  trill,  resembling  that  of  the 
Chipping  Sparrow. 

Prairie  Warbler:  Dendroica  discolor. 

Length  less  than  5  inches. 

Upper  parts  olive-green;  a  broken  patch  of  chestnut-red 
on  the  back;  wing-bars  yellowish,  a  yellow  line  over  the 
eye,  white  patches  on  the  tail. 

Under  parts  bright  yellow,  the  sides  streaked  with  black. 

Resident  (very  common)  from  April  20  to  September, 
winters  in  southern  Florida  and  the  West  Indies. 

The  Prairie  is  much  like  the  Pine  Warbler,  but  he 
is  smaller  and  his  sides  are  streaked  with  black.  The 
reddish  patch  on  his  back — if  it  can  be  seen — iden- 
tifies him  surely.  His  chosen  haunts  are  wild,  bushy 
fields  and  thickets  of  young  evergreens.  His  song  is 
a  sweet  zee-ing  run  up  the  scale,  and  may  always  be 
heard  in  the  Zoo  in  May  and  June.  He  is  an  expert 
fly-catcher  and  his  food  is  largely  winged  insects. 

The  nest  is  likely  to  be  in  a  briary  bush  or  small 
evergreen,  and  the  eggs,  3  to  6,  are  white,  spotted 
with  reddish-brown. 


64  O  VEN-BIRD. 

Oven-bird;  Golden-crowned  Thrush:  Seiurus  auro- 
capillus. 

Length  about  6  inches. 

Upper  parts  brownish  olive -green. 

Under  parts  white,  the  breast  and  sides  spotted  with  black 
like  a  thrush. 

Center  of  the  crown  golden-brown,  bordered  by  black  lines. 

Resident  (abundant)  from  April  20  to  October  15;  winters 
in  the  West  Indies  and  Central  America. 

This  is  one  of  the  commonest  birds  of  our  woods, 
and  although  classed  among  the  Warblers,  he  has 
none  of  their  proverbial  restlessness  or  fancy  for  tree- 
tops,  but  spends  most  of  his  time  on  the  ground 
scratching  among  the  dead  leaves  for  bugs  and 
worms.  He  is  known  by  his  walk — for  he  is  one  of 
the  few  birds  that  do  not  hop — and  by  the  thrush- 
like  markings  on  his  breast.  He  is  so  abundant  that 
in  May  and  June  the  woods  ring  with  his  peculiar 
chant,  a  rapid  crescendo  resembling  chee-chee-cte- 
CHEE-CHEE.  He  also  has  a  wonderful  flight  song 
which  we  hear  but  rarely,  and  only  in  nesting-time. 
Miss  Merriam  writes  of  it,  "  Though  you  think  you 
know  the  Golden-crown,  you  have  not  realized  what 
manner  of  bird  he  is  until  you  have  heard  his  famous 
love-song.  It  is  as  if  a  musician  who  has  been  play- 
ing scales  had  suddenly  changed  to  an  impassioned 
rhapsody.  His  ecstasy  carries  him  off  his  feet  and 
he  flies  higher  and  higher  into  the  air,  pouring  out  his 
rapturous  love-song.  I  have  often  heard  fragments 
of  this  song  in  the  stillness  of  the  night,  when  it  is 
peculiarly  poetic,  as  if  the  bird's  joyous  dreams  had 
aroused  him." 

Dr.  Richmond  says,  "  This  love-song  may  some- 
times be  heard  in  the  Soldiers'  Home  woods.  Late 


LOUISIANA   WATER-THRUSH.  65 

May  or  June  is  the  proper  time  and  just  before  dusk. 
The  song  has  some  of  the  characters  of  an  Indigo's 
performance." 

The  nest  is  built  on  the  ground  in  dead  leaves,  and 
so  artfully  concealed  that  rinding  one  is  an  event  in 
which  to  take  pride  as  well  as  pleasure.  I  once 
searched  for  days  around  a  spot  where  I  had  seen  an 
Oven-bird  go  down  with  a  worm  in  its  bill,  and  only 
found  the  nest  at  last  by  strategy — getting  the  Mas- 
ter of  the  House  to  absorb  the  attention  of  the  birds 
by  walking  about  in  conspicuous  shirt-sleeves,  while  I 
slipped  into  a  clump  of  bushes  i\ear  by.  When  he  had 
gone  and  the  birds  believed  themselves  unobserved, 
one  again  dropped  to  the  ground  and  I  watched  it 
run  to  the  nest,  some  distance  away.  The  nest  is 
roofed  over  with  leaves,  and  even  to  a  close  observer 
seems  only  a  slight  natural  elevation.  The  entrance 
is  at  one  side,  and  no  nestlings  have  an  easier  time 
getting  out  into  the  big  world  than  do  the  little  Oven- 
birds.  The  eggs,  4  to  5,  are  white,  speckled  with 
brown. 


Louisiana  Water-Thrush:   Seiurus  motacilla. 

Length  6*4  inches. 

Upper  parts  grayish-olive;  a  conspicuous  white  line  over 
the  eye. 

Under  parts  white,  streaked  like  a  Thrush,  except  on  the 
throat. 

Resident  (rare)  from  April  14  to  September  5;  winters  in 
the  tropics. 

The  Water-Thrush  frequents  small  streams  where 
they  flow  through  wild  woods,  and  may  be  found  on 
those  that  run  into  Rock  Creek  and  the  Potomac. 
He  walks,  like  the  Oven-bird,  with  a  peculiar  teeter- 


66  KENTUCKY  WARBLER. 

ing  motion,  and  he  also  resembles  that  bird  in  gen- 
eral appearance,  but  will  be  distinguished  irom  him 
by  the  white  line  over  the  eye.  He  is  very  shy  and 
difficult  to  approach.  The  nest,  of  twigs,  rootlets  and 
leaves,  is  generally  under  a  shelving  bank  or  the  up- 
turned roots  of  a  fallen  tree.  The  eggs,  4  to  6,  are 
white,  much  speckled  with  reddish-brown.  Mr. 
Chapman  writes  enthusiastically  of  his  song  and  says 
"  There  is  an  almost  fierce  wildness  in  its  ringing 
notes." 

Kentucky  Warbler:   Geothlypis  formosa. 

Length  about  5^2  inches. 

Upper  parts  olive-green;    no  wing-bars  or  tail-patches. 
Under  parts  bright  yellow. 
Crown,  cheeks,  and  sides  of  throat  black. 
Resident  from  May  5  to  September  5;    winters  in  Central 
America. 

In  "  Birds  of  Village  and  Field,"  Miss  Merriam 
writes  so  delightfully  of  her  introduction  to  the  Ken- 
tucky' Warbler,  that  her  story  is  given  in  full.  "  In 
the  neighborhood  of  Washington,  one  of  the  best 
places  for  birds  on  the  spring  migration  is  along  the 
eastern  wooded  bank  of  the  Potomac.  There,  above 
High  Island,  opposite  the  '  amphitheatre,'  one  day 
early  in  May,  we  heard  a  song  so  like  the  famous 
Carolina .  Wren's  that  we  hurried  off  in  its  direction. 
Crossing  on  a  fallen  tree  that  bridged  the  narrow  arm 
of  the  Potomac,  we  were  on  the  little  island  where 
the  bird  was  singing.  The  song  receded  as  we  ad- 
vanced, and  we  forced  our  way  through  the  dense 
tangle  of  undergrowth  to  follow  it,  till  we  came  sud- 
denly upon  a  forest  garden,  a  great  blue  rug  spread  on 
the  floor  of  the  woodland  and  lit  up  by  the  sun  coming 
through  the  skylights  of  the  freshly  leafing  trees.  The 


KENTUCKY  WARBLER.  67 

delicacy  of  the  light  blue  phlox  and  its  vine-like 
tracery  of  meadow  rue  made  an  exquisite  spring  pic- 
ture. There  was  such  a  luxuriant  growth  of  the 
phlox  that  negroes  were  picking  it  for  the  market. 
As  we  stood  absorbed  on  the  edge  of  the  garden,  sud- 
denly, right  before  us,  rang  out  the  Wren-like  song 
we  had  been  following,  and  on  a  low  bush,  with  head 
thrown  back,  the  bird  was  singing.  But — the  brown 
Wren  was  a  brilliant  yellow,  with  black  velvety  bands 
bordering  his  throat!  A  Kentucky  Warbler,  we  ex- 
claimed in  excited  whispers,  and  then  stood  silent, 
afraid  of  startling  the  bird  that,  quite  unmindful  of 
us,  now  hopped  down  to  the  ground,  and  now 
mounted  a  bush  to  sing.  '  Klur-wee,  klur-wee,  klur- 
wee,'  we  repeated  after  him,  to  test  for  ourselves  Mr. 
Torrey's  phrasing  of  it,  and,  indeed,  at  times  the  bird 
pronounced  the  syllables  as  distinctly  as  a  person. 
And  with  what  richness  of  tone!  Surely  it  is  a  song 
that  goes  well  with  the  songster.  Mr.  Torrey,  refer- 
ring to  his  note-book,  copies  the  exclamation  made 
in  the  field,  '  It  is  a  beauty ! '  and  no  one,  seeing  the 
bird  for  the  first  time  in  such  a  setting  as  we  saw 
him,  can  fail  to  share  his  enthusiasm." 

This  Warbler,  like  the  Oven-bird,  is  a  walker.  His 
haunts  are  tangled  woods  near  water,  and  he  may 
be  looked  for  along  the  Potomac  on  the  Virginia 
side,  on  the  islands  near  Glen  Echo,  back  of  Mar- 
shall Hall,  and  in  similar  places,  but  he  is  nowhere 
abundant  in  this  section  of  the  country.  His  nest  is 
bulky,  "  of  twigs  and  rootlets,  firmly  wrapped  with 
several  thicknesses  of  leaves,"  on  or  near  the  ground. 
The  eggs,  4  to  5,  are  grayish-white,  covered  with  fine 
speckles  and  coarser  blotches. 


68  MARYLAND    YELLOW-THROAT. 

Maryland  Yellow-throat:   Geothlypis  triclias. 

Length  about  5/4  inches. 

Male,  upper  parts  olive-green;  a  broad  black  band  bor- 
dered with  gray,  across  the  forehead,  passing  through  and 
beyond  the  eyes. 

Throat  and  breast  bright  yellow. 

Female,  without  black  mask,  and  her  yellow  breast  duller. 

Resident  (abundant)  from  April  20  to  October  20;  win- 
ters in  the  Southern  States,  West  Indies  and  Central  Amer- 
ica. 

The  Yellow-throat  is  an  active,  energetic  little  bird 
with  a  nervous  habit  of  jerking  his  tail.  He  is  a 
common  inhabitant  of  thickets  that  border  streams, 
and  is  seldom  seen  anywhere  else  except  in  spring 
migration,  when  he  visits  orchards  and  gardens  to 
get  the  insects  from  fruit  blossoms.  His  food  is  ex- 
clusively caterpillars,  insects  and  larvae,  and  he  is 
entirely  useful.  His  call-note  is  a  sharp  chuck  and 
his  common  song  Dr.  Richmond  gives  as  "  rit-a- 
witch-a,"  several  times  repeated.  He  has  also  a 
pleasant  chatter  as  he  flits  about  the  bushes,  and 
rarely  a  warbling  flight  song:  The  last,  Mr.  Chap- 
man says,  "  is  usually  uttered  toward  evening,  when 
the  bird  springs  several  feet  into  the  air,  hovers  a 
moment,  and  then  drops  back  into  the  bushes/'  The 
nest  is  generally  on  the  ground  and  so  well  hidden 
and  guarded  that  it  is  not  likely  to  be  found  by  search- 
ing, nor  will  the  vigilant  birds  be  surprised  into  reveal- 
ing its  locality.  The  eggs,  3  to  5,  are.  white,  thinly 
speckled. 


YELLOW- BREASTED   CHAT.  69 

Yellow-breasted  Chat:  Icteria  virens. 

Length  about  7^2  inches. 

Upper  parts  bright  olive-green;  black  and  white  mark- 
ings in  front  of  and  around  eyes. 

Throat  and  breast  bright  yellow;    belly  white. 

Resident  (common)  from  May  i  to  September;  winters 
in  Central  America. 

The  handsome  Chat  is  a  mocker  and  a  ventrilo- 
quist, and  the  first  time  you  hear  his  astonishing  per- 
formance, you  wonder  if  you  are  listening  to  one  bird 
or  half  a  dozen;  and  where  is  the  singer?  Is  he  in 
this  tree,  or  that,  over  your  head,  or  across  the 
stream?  As  Mr.  Burroughs  says,  "  Now  he  barks 
like  a  puppy,  then  quacks  like  a  Duck,  then  rattles 
like  a  Kingfisher,  then  squalls  like  a  fox,  then  caws 
like  a  Crow,  then  mews  like  a  cat:  C-r-r-r-r-r-whrr — 
that's  it — dice — quack,  cluck,  yit-yit-yit- — now  hit  it — 
tr-r-r — when — caw — caw — cut — tea-boy — who ,  who — 
mew,  mew.  You  may  be  pardoned  for  doubting  that 
a  bird  can  produce  so  strange  a  series  of  noises,  but 
if  you  will  go  to  the  Chat's  haunts  in  thickety  open- 
ings in  the  woods,  or  other  bushy  places,  and  let  him 
speak  for  himself,  you  will  admit  that  our  alphabet 
cannot  do  him  justice.  To  hear  the  Chat  is  one 
thing,  to  see  him  quite  another.  But  he  will  repay 
study,  and  if  you  will  conceal  yourself  near  his  home 
you  may  see  him  deliver  part  of  his  repertoire  while 
on  the  wing,  with  legs  dangling,  wings  and  tail  flap- 
ping, and  his  whole  appearance  suggesting  that  of  a 
bird  who  has  had  an  unfortunate  encounter  with  a 
charge  of  shot.  But  if  the  Chat's  song  is  surprising 
when  heard  during  the  day,  imagine  the  effect  it  cre- 
ates at  night  when  he  has  the  stage  to  himself,  for  he 
is  one  of  our  few  birds  who  sing  regularly  and  freely 
during  the  night,  moonlit  nights  being  most  often 
selected." 


;0  AMERICAN  REDSTAR  T. 

The  Chat  is  a  common  summer  resident  and  may 
be  found  in  thickets  on  the  edges  of  woods  and  in 
wild  bushy  fields,  preferably  near  water.  He  is  gen- 
erally heard  in  the  Zoo,  often  near  the  Chevy  Chase 
entrance.  The  nest  is  bulky,  of  grasses,  leaves  and 
wild  grape  vine,  and  is  usually  in  the  crotch  of  a  bush 
near  the  ground.  The  eggs,  4  to  5,  are  white, 
marked  with  reddish-brown. 

American  Redstart:  Setophaga  ruticilla. 

Length  about  5^2  inches;    tail  long. 

Male,  upper  parts,  throat,  and  breast  shining  black. 

Sides  of  the  breast  brilliant  reddish-orange;    belly  white. 

Wings  and  tail  with  orange  band  and  wings  lined  with 
orange. 

Female,  very  different;  greenish-gray  where  the  male  is 
black,  and  yellow  where  he  is  red. 

Uncommon  in  summer;    winters  in  the  tropics. 

This  little  beauty  is  rarely  seen  here  in  mid-sum- 
mer, but  during  the  spring  migration,  from  April 
eighteenth  to  the  middle  of  May  he  is  abundant,  and 
is  scarcely  less  so  from  the  middle  of  August  to  the 
last  of  September.  He  will  be  found  in  trees  in 
woodland,  and  is  so  active  that  it  is  hard  to  get  him 
within  the  focus  of  your  glass;  but  you  can  be  sure 
of  him  without  it,  from  his  habit  of  constantly  open- 
ing and  shutting  his  tail  like  a  fan  as  he  flits  zig-zag 
over  the  branches,  searching  for  ants  and  spiders. 

In  Cuba  he  bears  the  pretty  name  of  "  Candelita/' 
meaning  little  torch,  so  glowing  is  the  flame-color  on 
his  coat.  His  song  resembles  the  whistle  in  a  rubber 
toy,  although  that  comparison  does  not  do  it  justice, 
for  it  is  not  unmusical. 

Redstarts  build  a  compact  little  nest  in  the  crotch 
of  a  tree,  ten  to  twenty  feet  up.  The  eggs,  4  to  5, 
are  spotted,  chiefly  at  the  larger  end,  with  reddish- 
brown. 


VIREOS. 

/ 

The  Vireos,  or  Greenlets,  are  dainty  little  birds 
whose  leaf-tinted  dress  harmonizes  so  well  with  the 
foliage  of  their  haunts  that  they  often  pass  unnoticed. 
They  have  sweet  voices,  and  build  beautiful  basket 
nests,  suspended  from  forked  twigs.  They  are  insect 
eaters  and  are  most  useful  in  preserving  our  shade 
trees  from  the  ravages  of  caterpillars,  inch-worms, 
and  leaf-eating  beetles.  Four  species  nest  here,  the 
Red-eye,  White-eye,  Warbling,  and  Yellow-throated, 
while  in  migration  the  Blue-headed,  and  possibly  the 
Philadelphia,  may  be  seen. 

Red-eyed  Vireo:    Vireo  olivaceus. 

Length  about  6  inches. 

Upper  parts  grayish-green;  crown  gray,  bordered  with 
black. 

A  conspicuous  white  line  over  the  red  eye. 

Under  parts  pure  white. 

Resident  (abundant)  from  April  25  to  October  15;  winters 
in  Central  and  South  America. 

The  Red-eye  is  the  most  common  of  our  Vireos 
and  is  found  wherever  there  are  large  trees — in  wood- 
land, in  orchards,  and  in  the  shade  trees  of  our  lawns. 
Mr.  Burroughs  writes :  "  The  first  among  the  less 
common  birds  which  I  identified  when  I  began  the 
study  of  ornithology,  was  the  Red-eyed  Vireo,  the 
little  gray  bird  with  a  line  over  its  eye,  that  moves 
about  all  day  with  its  incessant  cheerful  warble,  and  it 
so  fired  my  enthusiasm  that  before  the  end  of  the 


72  WARBLING    VIREO. 

season  I  had  added  a  dozen  or  more  (to  me)  new 
birds  to  my  list." 

The  Red-eye  is  always  hunting  among  the  foliage 
tor  his  insect  food,  and  is  most  commonly  seen  with 
upturned  head,  carefully  gleaning  from  the  under  side 
of  leaves.  He  sings,  or  talks,  as  he  works,  in  short 
musical  sentences,  given  between  mouthfuls, 
"  Where's  a  worm?  Where's  a  caterpillar?  Where's 
a  worm?  he  queries  as  he  goes,  answering  his  own 
questions  very  comfortably  to  himself,"  as  Miss  Mer- 
riam  says.  While  his  summer  diet  is  chiefly  insects, 
late  in  the  season  he  eats  berries  and  wild  grapes,  and 
Dr.  Warren  tells  us  "  His  white  shirt  front  is  often 
soiled  with  the  bright  juices  of  the  fruits  on  which 
he  feeds." 

The  basket  nest  of  the  Red-eye  is  woven  of  strips 
of  grape-vine  bark  and  lined  with  finer  material.  It 
hangs  rather  low  from  a  forked  twig,  about  which  it 
is  so  firmly  woven  that  it  often  withstands  the  winter 
storms  in  good  condition,  so  well  indeed  that  one 
must  look  twice  to  ascertain  if  it  be  old  or  new.  The 
eggs,  3  to  4,  are  white,  lightly  speckled  at  the  larger 
end. 

This  Vireo  has  a  loud  complaining  note  when 
troubled,  somewhat  like  the  Catbird's  mewing  cry. 

"Warbling  Vireo:    Vireo  gilvus. 

Length  5^4  inches. 

Upper  parts  grayish-green;    no  wing-bars. 
Under  parts  white,  slightly  washed  with  yellowish. 
Resident  (rather  common)  from  April  28  to  September  10; 
winters  in  the  tropics. 

Warbling  Vireos  are  city  birds,  and  when  you  wish 
to  make  their  acquaintance  you  must  take  your  opera- 


YELLOW-THROATED    VIREO.  73 

glass  and  go  to  Lafayette  or  Franklin  Park  or  to 
the  Smithsonian  grounds,  rather  than  to  the  woods. 
They  will  be  found  in  the  upper  stories  of  large  trees, 
where  they  hang  their  pensile  nests  and  warble  the 
happy  days  away.  These  are  thought  to  be  the  sweet- 
est of  the  Vireo  singers,  and  Langille  characterizes 
their  song  as  "  an  inimitable  melody  like  that  of  some 
celestial  flute  or  flageolet,  never  out  of  tune  and  never 
failing  to  charm." 

Warbling  Vireos  have  no  distinguishing  marks 
and  their  soft  tints  are  almost  exactly  those  of  a  pop- 
lar leaf. 

Yellow-throated  Vireo:    Virco  flavifrons. 

Length  about  6  inches. 

Upper  parts  bright  olive-green;  two  distinct  white  wing- 
bars. 

Throat  and  breast  bright  yellow;    belly  white. 

Resident  (common)  from  April  20  to  September  15;  win- 
ters in  the  tropics. 

This  Vireo  is  distinguished  from  the  rest  of  his 
family  by  his  bright  yellow  breast.  He  has  the  same 
coloring  as  the  Yellow-breasted  Chat,  but  is  decidedly 
smaller  and  the  Chat  has  no  white  wing-bars.  While 
the  Yellow-throat  is  considered  a  woodland 'bird,  he 
is  not  shy  and  often  comes  near  dwellings  to  build 
his  nest,  which  is  the  prettiest  of  all  the  Vireo  baskets, 
being  decorated  outside  with  delicate  white  lichens. 
It  is  generally  found  at  the  end  of  an  oak  branch, 
where  it  is  sheltered  from  sun  and  rain,  and  hidden 
from  observation  by  the  thick  overhanging  leaves. 
Often  the  end  of  one  or  two  leaves  will  be  glued  to 
the  edge  of  the  nest,  making  a  secure  canopy.  In  a 
nest  found  near  Rockville,  the  hateful  Cowbird  had 


74  WHITE-EYED   VIREO, 

deposited  an  egg,  and  soon  after  hatching,  one  of  the 
Vireo  babies  was  smothered  in  the  over-crowded 
domicile.  The  strong,  young  Cowbird  was  the  first  to 
fly  and  the  parent  Vireos  had  a  hard  time  trying  to 
satisfy  his  ravenous  appetite  and  yet  care  for  their 
own  nestlings.  They  came  back  to  the  nest  at 
longer  and  longer  intervals,  finally  deserting  it  en- 
tirely, and  leaving  the  little  Vireos  to  die  of  starva- 
tion. All  Vireos  are  likely  to  be  victims  of  Cowbird 
depravity,  and  when  a  large  egg  is  found  in  a  nest, 
it  is  only  humane  to  throw  it  out. 

The  song  of  the  Yellow-throat  is  much  like  that  of 
the  Red-eye,  but  his  voice  is  richer,  and  his  musical 
sentences  are  more  connected. 

White-eyed  Vireo:    Vireo  noveboracensis. 

Length  5Y2  inches. 

Upper  parts  bright  olive-green;  two  distinct  yellowish 
wing-bars.  Eyes  white. 

Under  parts  white,  breast  and  sides  washed  with  greenish- 
yellow. 

Resident  (common)  from  April  20  to  October  7;  winters 
from  Florida  southward. 

Tangled,  swampy  thickets  are  the  favorite  haunts 
of  the  White-eye,  and  there  the  pensile  nest  will  be 
hung,  generally  on  the  forked  branch  of  a  bush. 
These  Vireos  have  a  fancy  for  using  bits  of  news- 
paper in  their  nest,  and  by  that  the  owners  may  be 
known.  One  pair  advertised  "  The  Outlook "  by 
turning  a  piece  of  its  title-page  to  the  passers-by. 
Their  eggs,  like  those  of  all  other  Vireos,  are  pointed 
and  lightly  speckled  at  the  larger  end. 

The  White-eye  resents  intrusion,  and  when  we  in- 
vade his  premises  we  are  more  likely  to  hear  a  sharp 


WHITE-EYED    VIREO. 


75 


chuck-chuck  than  his  brilliant  song.  Mr.  Chapman 
says,  "  He  is  a  capital  mimic  and  in  the  retirement  of 
his  home  sometimes  amuses  himself  by  combining  the 
songs  of  other  birds  in  an  intricate  potpourri." 

One  must  be  very  near  him  or  have  a  good  glass 
to  see  the  white  iris  which  gives  this  Vireo  his  name. 


76 


CEDA  R    WA  X  WING. 


CEDAR-BIRD. 

Cedar  Waxwing:  Ampelis  cedrorum. 

Length  7  inches. 

Whole  body  delicate  fawn-color.     A  conspicuous   crest. 

Area  around  bill,  and  line  through  the  eye  velvety  black, 
a  yellow  band  across  the  end  of  the  tail;  wings  often  with 
red  wax-like  tips.  In  young  birds,  the  breast  is  paler  and 
striped. 

Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

In  spring  and  early  summer,  Cedar-birds  are  abun- 
dant, and  are  then  always  in  small  flocks  like  the 
Goldfinches.  They  have  a  characteristic  way  of  fly- 
ing close  together,  and  when  they  light  often  sit  hud- 
dled in  a  row.  Mrs.  Wright  says,  "  Your  best 
chance  to  watch  them  is  either  before  the  leaves  are 


CEDAR   WAXWING.  77 

out  or  after  they  have  fallen,  when  a  flock  will  some- 
times sit  for  half  an  hour  in  a  bare  tree,  exchanging 
civilities,  stroking  each  other's  feathers  and  passing 
food  around.  One  will  find  a  dainty  morsel  and  offer 
it  to  his  next  neighbor  who  passes  it  on — hunt-the- 
slipper  fashion — until  some  one  makes  up  his  mind  to 
eat  it  or  returns  it  to  the  original  owner." 

In  spring  Cedar-birds  visit  orchards  to  get  the 
insects  which  infest  the  bark  and  blossoms  of  fruit 
trees,  and  of  which  they  eat  enormous  quantities.  If 
later,  when  cherries  are  ripe,  they  return  for  their 
well-earned  share,  we  will  not  grudge  it.  Although 
not  at  all  shy  when  in  flocks,  coming  freely  into  the 
gardens  and  parks  of  the  city,  after  they  separate  and 
retire  to  woods  or  orchards  for  the  breeding  season, 
they  are  so  quiet  and  stealthy  in  their  ways  that  they 
are  less  frequently  seen  than  much  rarer  birds.  They 
nest  late,  seldom  before  the  middle  of  June.  The  nest 
is  bulky,  and  is  generally  in  trees,  from  ten  to  twenty 
feet  above  the  ground.  The  eggs,  3  to  5,  are  grayish- 
white,  speckled  and  spotted  with  black. 

Waxwings  are  especially  abundant  in  autumn, 
when  they  roam  about  in  large  flocks,  young  and  old 
together. 


SWALLOWS. 

Swallows  have  long,  powerful  wings,  small,  weak 
feet,  and  wide,  gaping  bills.  Much  of  their  time  is 
spent  in  the  air  in  pursuit  of  winged  insects,  and  as 
they  destroy  incalculable  numbers  of  flies  and  mos- 
quitoes, they  are  among  our  most  valuable  birds.  We 
have  nesting  here  the  Barn,  Bank,  Rough-winged, 
and  Have  Swallows,  and  the  Purple  Martin.  In  mi- 
gration the  Tree  Swallow  is  common. 

Purple  Martin:  Progne  subis. 

Length  8  inches. 

Shining  blue-black  all  over;    tail  but  slightly  forked. 
Female  duller,  and  grayish-white  below. 
Resident  (uncommon)  from  April  15  to  September;    win- 
ters in  Central  and  South  America. 

The  unbroken  color  and  large  size  of  the  Martin 
distinguish  him  from  other  Swallows.  He  is  a  bird 
that  likes  the  proximity  of  man  and  was  once  very 
common  in  Washington,  nesting  in  bird  houses,  and 
also  numerously  in  the  capitals  of  the  columns  of  our 
public  buildings,  but  the  aggressive,  nagging  English 
Sparrows  have  driven  him  away.  He  is  a  brave  bird 
and  will  fight  Hawks  and  Owls — so  that  farmers  put 
up  boxes  for  him  in  their  barnyards  as  protection  to 
poultry — but  he  cannot  endure  the  persecution  of  the 
Sparrows.  "  Dr.  John  R.  Everhart,  of  West  Chester, 
Pa.,  appreciating  that  his  flock  of  chattering  Martins 
was  rapidly  diminishing  before  the'  advance  of  the 


PURPLE  MARTIN. 


79 


Sparrows,  some  few  years  ago  erected  in  his  yard 
a  large  pole  with  cross-pieces,  from  which  he  sus- 
pended, by  brass  wire  chains,  each  about  eighteen 
inches  long,  a  number  of  boxes,  in  which  the  Mar- 
tins, also  Wrens  and  Bluebirds,  nest  without  any 
trouble  from  their  feathered  enemy.  The  swaying 
motion  of  these  pendent  boxes  appears  to  frighten  the 
Sparrows,  as  not  one  has  ever  been  observed  to  alight 
on  or  enter  them."  (Warren.) 

Besides  the  Martin's  cheerful  twittering,  he  has  a 
loud  musical  call  chee-u,  several  times  repeated,  and  a 
charming,  liquid,  warbling  song;  his  flight  is  swift 
and  graceful,  he  devours  quantities  of  insects,  espec- 
ially mosquitoes,  wasps,  bees  and  beetles,  and  is  alto- 
gether a  most  desirable  neighbor. 


8o 


BA RN  S  WALL  O  H'. 


BARN  SWALLOW. 

Barn  Swallow:   Chelidon  erythrogastra. 

Length  7  inches;    tail  nearly  half  the  length. 

Upper  parts  steel-blue;  tail  deeply  forked,  with  white 
spots. 

Throat  and  upper  breast  chestnut-red;  a  steel-blue  collar; 
belly  white. 

Resident  (common)  from  April  I  to  September;  winters 
in  South  America. 

His  long,  forked  tail  and  chestnut  breast  identify 
the  Barn  Swallow.  Seen  from  below,  the  spots  on 
the  tail  show  as  a  white  band. 


EA  VE  SWALLOW.  8 1 

When  not  skimming  through  the  air  after  insects, 
these  swallows  are  likely  to  be  seen  perched  in  rows 
on  telegraph  wires,  where 

"They  twitter  and  flutter  and  fold  their  wings; 

Perhaps  they  think  that  for  them  and  their  sires 
Stretched  always,  on  purpose,  those  wonderful  strings." 

Barn  swallows  once  built  in  caves,  but  now  univer- 
sally in  barns  or  old  vacant  dwellings.  The  nest  is 
of  mud  and  hay  plastered  against  a  rafter,  and  inside 
is  good  soft  stuffing  of  hay  and  feathers.  A  perch- 
ing place  is  often  built  near,  where  the  male  roosts  at 
night,  and  to  which  the  young  birds  take  their  first 
outing.  The  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  white,  thickly  spotted 
with  brown. 

Dr.  Brewer  writes  of  these  Swallows:  "  There  is 
no  evil  blended  with  the  many  benefits  they  confer 
on  man;  they  destroy  the  insects  that  annoy  his  cattle, 
injure  his  fruit  trees,  sting  his  fruit  or  molest  his 
person." 

Barn  Swallows  are  noted  for  their  wonderful  flights 
in  migration,  when  it  is  said  they  fly  fifteen  hours  a 
day,  and  as  swiftly  as  a  mile  a  minute. 

Eave  Swallow;    Cliff  Swallow:  Petrochelidon  luni- 
frons. 

Length  6  inches. 

Back  and  crown  steel-blue;  forehead  whitish;  throat  and 
sides  of  head  chestnut: 

Breast  brown,   a   steel-blue   patch   in   center;     belly   white. 

A  light  rusty  spot  oh  the  rump;    tail  not  forked. 

Resident  (rare)  from  April  to  September:  winters  in  the 
tropics. 

The  distinguishing  mark  of  this  Swallow  is  the 
light  spot  on  the  rump,  and  he  may  readily  be  known 
from  his  neighbor,  the  Barn  Swallow,  by  his  short, 


82  BANK  SWALLOW. 

unforked  tail.  Eave  Swallows  build  most  interest- 
ing adobe  nests  under  the  eaves  of  barns  and  other 
outbuildings,  or  beneath  the  edge  of  an  overhanging 
cliff.  These  ingenious  nests  are  shaped  like  a  flat- 
tened gourd  or  water-bottle,  and  are  plastered  against 
the  ceiling,  the  neck  of  the  bottle— from  three  to  five 
inches  long — having  a  slight  downward  curve.  They 
are  constructed  of  bits  of  clay  rolled  into  pellets,  and 
stuck  together  with  some  mucilaginous  substance, 
making  a  rather  brittle,  pebbly-looking  wall. 

It  is  believed  that  the  settlement  of  these  Swallows 
in  a  neighborhood  is  determined  by  the  presence  of 
the  right  sort  of  clay  for  their  masonry.  They  are 
greatly  persecuted  by  English  Sparrows,  which  try 
to  take  possession  of  their  nests,  and  they  will  desert 
any  place  when  the  Sparrows  become  too  numerous. 

It  is  estimated  that  every  Eave  Swallow  destroys 
a  thousand  insects  a  day — flies,  mosquitoes,  wheat- 
midgets,  and  the  beetles  that  injure  fruit-trees. 

Bank  Swallow:    Clivicola  riparia. 

Length  5  inches. 

Upper  parts  grayish-brown,  a  band  of  the  same  color 
across  the  white  breast. 

Resident  from  April  15  to  September  25.  Winters  as  far 
south  as  Brazil. 

This,  the  smallest  of  our  Swallows,  is  known  by  the 
dark  band  across  his  breast.  He  is  rather  common 
about  Washington  and  may  be  looked  for  wherever 
sand  banks  rise  perpendicularly  out  of  the  water,  for  he 
nests  in  holes  excavated  in  a  vertical  wall.  The  nest 
is  generally  two  or  three  feet  in  from  the  entrance, 
and  the  white  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  unmarked.  Bank 
Swallows  nest  in  colonies,  and  rows  of  their  nesting 


ROUGH-WINGED  SWALLOW.  83 

holes  may  be  seen  in  the  Potomac  banks  below  the 
city,  and  at  Bay  Ridge. 

The  Bank  Swallow  is  famous  for  having  a  greater 
range  than  any  other  land  bird,  and  is  found  over  the 
entire  temperate  portion  of  the  world. 

Rough- winged  Swallow:   Stelgidoptcryx  sernpennis. 

Length  5^4  inches. 
Upper  parts  brownish-gray. 
Throat  and  breast  paler  gray,  belly  white. 
The  outer  wing-feather  has  a  rough  edge. 
Resident    (common)    from    April  7  to   September  ;    winters 
'in  the  tropics. 

The  Rough-winged  is  much  like  the  Bank  Swallow 
in  general  appearance,  but  without  the  dark  band 
across  the  breast.  He  nests  in  holes  in  sand-banks, 
although  not  in  colonies  like  the  Bank  Swallow,  and 
he  does  not  excavate  for  himself,  but  takes  a  ready- 
made  burrow,  sometimes  the  abandoned  hole  of  a 
Kingfisher.  Most  frequently,  however,  he  builds  in 
cavities  in  masonry,  and  all  along  the  canal  above 
Georgetown  nests  may  be  found  in  crevices  of  the 
canal  walls;  also  about  Aqueduct  Bridge  and  at  Glen 
Echo. 

These  nests  are  usually  composed  of  bits  of  dead 
leaves,  but  Dr.  Coues  says  that  the  birds  take  any 
material  that  is  at  hand,  and  tells  of  a  nest  near  a 
poultry  yard  which  was  entirely  of  feathers.  The 
eggs,  4  to  5,  are  pure  white. 


84  SCARLET  TAN  ACER. 

Scarlet  Tanager:  Piranga  erythromelas. 

Length  7^  inches. 

Male,  bright  scarlet,  except  wings  and  tail,  which  are 
black. 

Female,  olive-green  above,   greenish-yellow  below. 

Resident  (not  common)  from  April  28  to  October  7;  win- 
ters in  Central  and  northern  South  America. 

This  brilliant  beauty  is  a  northern  bird  and  has  no 
fancy  for  the  lowlands  about  Washington,  but  as  the 
country  rises  north  and  west  of  the  city  one  is  occa- 
sionally seen,  and  as  far  out  as  Rockville  and  Sandy 
Spring,  he  is  not  uncommon.  During  the  spring* 
migration  he  is  abundant  everywhere,  and  a  common 
and  picturesque  sight  is  a  flock  of  Scarlet  Tanagers 
flitting  about  in  the  blossoming  dogwood  trees.  The 
males  precede  the  females  by  several  days,  and  no  one 
would  guess  that  the  demure  leaf-tinted  birds  follow- 
ing along  by  themselves  belong  to  the  gay,  stylish 
company  ahead. 

The  Tanager's  scarlet  coat  is  a  shining  mark  for 
bird  enemies,  both  animal  and  human,  as  the  beauty 
doubtless  knows,  for  he  always  greets  intruders  with 
an  anxious,  querulous  chip-churr  quite  at  variance  with 
his  joyous  tree-top  song — a  swinging  song  which 
bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  that  of  the  Robin. 

While  the  natural  habitat  of  Tanagers  is  secluded 
woodland,  they  sometimes  come  close  to  dwellings 
to  build,  evidently  seeking  protection  from  Crows  and 
other  enemies.  Their  nest  is  frequently  on  the  lower 
branch  of  a  large  tree,  and  is  likely  to  overhang  a 
path  or  wood-road. 

Scarlet  Tanagers  will  immediately  desert  an  unfin- 
ished nest  if  they  find  themselves  watched,  and  in 
studying  their  operations  one  must  be  exceedingly 
wary  to  keep  them  for  neighbors.  The  nest  is  built 


SUMMER   TAN  ACER.  85 

of  fine  rootlets  and  its  walls  are  often  so  thin  that  the 
eggs  can  be  counted  from  below.  The  eggs,  3  to  4, 
are  bluish-white,  much  speckled  with  brown. 

Summer  Tanager:  Piranga  rubra. 

Length  7^  inches. 

Male,  rose-red  all  over,  except  a  little  brown  on  the  wings. 
Female,  olive-green  above,  and  yellowish  below. 
Resident    (uncommon)    from    April    15    to    September    25; 
winters  in  Central  and  South  America. 

The  Summer  Tanager  is  less  brilliant  than  his  scar- 
let cousin  and  without  the  black  wings  and  tail. 
He  is  a  bird  of  the  Southern  States,  and  Washington 
is  nearly  the  northern  limit  of  his  breeding  range. 
While  uncommon  in  this  vicinity,  he  is  not  so  rare 
near  the  city  as  the  Scarlet  Tanager,  and  may  gener- 
ally be  found  at  Takoma  Park  and  Brookland,  also 
at  Mount  Vernon.  He  likes  open,  deciduous  woods, 
and  builds  much  like  the  Scarlet. 

Mr.  Ridgway  thinks  the  Summer  Tanager  a  finer 
songster  than  the  Scarlet  and  says  his  song  is  "  very 
Robin-like  but  much  more  vigorous  and  sustained 
than  that  of  the  Robin."  His  call-note  Dr.  Palmer 
gives  as  pe-tup-ka. 


SPARROWS,   ETC. 

Grosbeaks,  Finches  and  Sparrows  are  included  in 
one  family,  and  so  we  find  classed  together,  the  bril- 
liant Cardinal,  sunshiny  Goldfinch,  and  plain  little 
Chippy.  While  these  differ  greatly  in  form,  color 
and  habits,  they  are  all  alike  in  being  seed-eaters,  and 
have  stout,  conical  bills,  admirably  adapted  to  cracking 
seeds. 

The  dull-colored  birds  live  generally  in  open  fields 
where  their  brownish,  striped  coats  make  them  almost 
invisible  to  enemies,  while  those  of  brighter  plumage 
find  it  safer  to  keep  under  the  cover  of  trees. 

All  these  birds  feed  largely  on  insects  in  summer, 
but  the  rest  of  the  year  they  live  almost  entirely  on 
seeds  of  weeds  and  grasses.  Their  economic  value  as 
destroyers  of  the  seeds  of  injurious  plants  cannot  be 
overestimated. 

Those  of  this  family  resident  here  in  summer  are 
the  Indigo-bird,  Blue  and  Cardinal  Grosbeaks,  Che- 
wink,  Goldfinch,  Song,  Field,  Vesper,  Chipping, 
Grasshopper,  and  Henslow's  Sparrows.  Several  of 
these  remain  through  the  winter.  (See  list  of  winter 
birds,  page  187.) 

American  Goldfinch;  Thistle-bird:  Spimis  tristis. 

Length  5  inches. 
Male,  whole  body  bright  yellow. 

Cap,  wings  and  tail  black,  with  some  white  markings. 
Female,   brownish,   without  black  cap,   her  wings   and  tail 
dark  brown. 

Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

It  is  easy  to  know  the  merry  Goldfinches  from  other 
yellow  birds  by  the  black  wings  and  tail,  and  the 


GOLDFINCH.  87 

"little  black  cap  tipped  down  over  the  eyes."  They 
are  also  known  by  their  bounding  flight  "  as  if  sailing 
over  imaginary  billows."  They  sing  as  they  go,  Per- 
chic-o-rce  or  0-wdit-for-me,  in  the  sweetest  of  voices. 
They  are  often  called  "  Wild  Canaries,"  and  both  their 
call  and  warbling  love-song  resemble  those  of  the 
common  Canary,  but  the  notes  have  a  more  plaintive 
tenderness. 

Goldfinches  are  always  in  small  flocks  except  when 
nesting,  and  they  are  the  latest  of  all  our  birds  to 
build.  Indeed,  the  happy-go-lucky  little  creatures 
put  off  their  housekeeping  so  long  it  is  a  wonder  that 
some  Goldfinch  babies  are  not  frost-bitten  before  they 
get  their  feathers.  Although  supposed  to  build  in 
July,  we  found  a  nest  near  Washington  in  which  the 
last  egg  hatched  the  first  day  of  September  and  have 
heard  of  others  still  later.  The  little  home  is  ex- 
quisite, composed  largely  of  thistle-down,  or  other 
plant  down,  interlaced  and  bound  together  with  fine 
strips  like  grape-vine  bark.  It  is  often  built  in  a 
fruit-tree,  resting  on  a  horizontal  branch  and  woven 
about  some  upright  twigs.  The  eggs,  3  to  6,  match 
well  the  dainty  nest,  being  clear  white,  tinged  with 
green  or  blue. 

If  you  want  a  flower  garden  gay  with  Goldfinches 
plant  in  one  corner  small  sun-flowers  and  fancy 
grasses,  and  when  their  seeds  are  ripe  the  birds  will 
surely  come.  In  autumn  the  male  Goldfinch  changes 
his  yellow  coat  for  a  brown  one,  like  that  of  his 
mate. 


88  VESPER  SPARROW. 

Vesper  Sparrow;  Grass  Finch:  Pooccetes gramincus. 

Length  6  inches. 

Upper  parts  brown  streaked  with  black. 

Under  parts  white,   breast   and   sides   streaked  with  black. 

Outer  tail-feathers  white. 

A  rare  permanent  resident,  but  abundant  in  migrations. 

In  spring  and  autumn,  Vesper  Sparrows  are  seen 
in  small  flocks,  when  they  are  readily  known  by  their 
white  tail-feathers,  which  are  very  conspicuous  as 
they  fly.  They  are  true  to  the  name  of  Grass  Finch 
and  keep  to  grassy  fields,  preferably  to  those  that  are 
high  and  dry.  We  seldom  see  them  outside  of  migra- 
tions, although  their  nests  have  been  found  in  a  wild 
field  north  of  Fort  Myer,  and  also  near  Silver  Spring. 
The  nest  is  sunk  in  the  ground,  and  the  eggs,  4  to  5, 
are  thickly  spotted. 

Mr.  Chapman  writes  of  the  song  of  the  Vesper 
Sparrow:  "  When  singing  he  generally  selects  an  ele- 
vated perch  and  gives  himself  entirely  to  his  musical 
devotions.  Early  morning  and  late  afternoon  are  his 
favorite  hours,  but  he  can  be  heard  at  other  times. 
His  song,  which  is  loud,  clear,  and  ringing,  may  be 
heard  at  a  distance  of  several  hundred  yards.  It 
resembles  that  of  the  Song  Sparrow,  but  is  sweeter 
and  more  plaintive.  When  heard  in  the  evening  it  is 
a  truly  inspired  and  inspiring  melody." 


HENSL  O  W  S  SPARR  O  W.  89 

Grasshopper  Sparrow;  Yellow- winged  Sparrow: 

Ammodramus  savannarum  passer inus. 

Length  5^4  inches. 

Upper  parts  streaked  black,  brown  and  ashy;  crown  black 
with  buffy  line  through  the  center;  bend  of  the  wing  bright 
yellow. 

Under  parts  buffy,  unstreaked. 

Resident  (common)  from  April  15  to  October  25;  winters 
from  North  Carolina  to  Cuba. 

The  Grasshopper  is  one  of  the  prettiest  of  the 
Sparrows,  the  dark  markings  above,  and  plain,  light 
under  parts  having  a  particularly  trim,  tailor-made 
effect.  Look  for  yellow  on  the  wings  and  a  black 
crown  with  a  yellowish  line  through  the  center. 

Although  this  Sparrow  is  common,  he  is  not  often 
seen,  as  he  lives  in  wild,  weedy  fields  and  seldom 
mounts  higher  than  the  tip  of  a  blackberry  spray*  or 
at  most  a  fence  rail,  to  sing  his  odd  little  grasshopper- 
like  song,  which  the  listener  must  be  very  near  to 
hear.  The  grassy  nest  is  on  the  ground,  and  the 
eggs,  4  to  5,  are  white,  thickly  speckled. 

Henslow's  Sparrow:  Ammodramus  henslowii. 

Length  5  inches. 

Upper  parts  chestnut,  streaked  with  brown  and  ashy;  bend 
of  the  wing  pale  yellow;  crown  light  olive-green,  streaked 
with  black. 

Under  parts  white,  washed  with  buffy,  the  breast  and  sides 
streaked  with  black. 

Resident  (locally  common)  from  April  12  to  October;  win- 
ters in  the  Southern  States. 

Henslow's  much  resembles  the  Grasshopper  Spar- 
row, but  his  crown  is  greenish  and  black,  and  his 
breast  and  sides  are  streaked.  While  not  generally 
distributed,  in  the  places  where  found  he  is  abundant. 


90  CHIPPING  SPARROW. 

His  known  haunts  near  the  city  are  the  wild  fields 
about  Rock  Creek  Church  and  Soldiers'  Home,  and 
those  between  Arlington  and  the  Potomac.  He  is 
also  common  at  Falls  Church  and  Kensington.  He 
keeps  close  in  the  weeds  and  must  be  hunted  with 
patience  and  perseverance. 

The  nest  is  on  the  ground  in  a  tuft  of  grass,  and 
the  eggs,  4  to  5,  are  greenish-white,  thickly  speckled 
with  reddish-brown.  Dr.  Richmond  says,  "  The  nest 
of  both  this  and  the  Grasshopper  .Sparrow  are  so 
thoroughly  concealed  that  expert  students  are  often 
unable  to  find  them."  His  song  is  given  by  Mr.  Jouy 
as  Sis-r-r-rit — srit-srit,  with  the  accent  on  the  first 
and  last  syllables.  He  often  sings  on  moonlight 
nights. 

Chipping  Sparrow;   Hairbird:   Spizella  socialis. 

Length  sl/4  inches. 

Upper  parts  brownish,  streaked  with  black;  forehead 
black;  top  of  head  bright  chestnut. 

Under  parts  grayish-white,  unmarked. 

Resident  (abundant)  from  March  15  to  November;  win- 
ters in  the  Gulf  States  and  Mexico. 

Chippy  is  the  smallest  and  most  friendly  of  our 
common  Sparrows.  He  might  be  called  the  little 
children's  bird,  he  is  so  tame,  and  always  on  the 
ground  about  the  house  and  garden.  Noisy  plays  do 
not  disturb  him,  and  he  will  come  almost  within  reach 
of  the  shortest  arms,  busily  looking  for  food  or  hunt- 
ing stuff  for  his  pretty  nest.  If  bits  of  string  are  left 
in  his  way  some  will  be  found  woven  in  or  attached 
as  ornament.  He  gets  the  name  of  Hairbird  from  the 
quantity  of  hair  used  in  lining  the  nest,  usually  horse 
hair,  or  that  from  a  cow's  tail.  One  wonders  that 


FIELD  SPARROW.  91 

enough  hair  can  be  found  for  so  many  nests,  as  Chip- 
ping Sparrows  are  very  common  and  raise  two  or 
three  broods  in  a  season.  They  build  low,  in  a  bush 
or  small  tree,  and  the  eggs,  4  to  5,  are  light  blue, 
somewhat  speckled. 

Chippy's  distinguishing  mark  is  his  red-brown  cap. 
When  he  feels  like  singing  he  chants  his  own  name 
rapidly,  in  a  high  key,  chippy-chippy-chippy-chippy. 
It  is  likely  to  be  the  first  bird-sound  at  daybreak  and 
the  last  in  the  evening,  and  is  sometimes  given  softly 
in  the  night,  as  if  to  assure  the  brooding  mate  of  his 
protecting  presence. 

Field  Sparrow:   Spizella  pusilla. 

Length  5^  inches. 

Upper  parts  bright  reddish-brown  finely  streaked  with 
black  and  ashy;  crown  and  bill  reddish-brown;  whitish 
wing-bars. 

Under  parts  white,  unstreaked,  and  tinged  with  pale  red- 
dish-brown. 

Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

The  Field  Sparrow  is  known  by  his  red-brown 
color,  and  especially  by  his  reddish  bill.  He  is  a  bird 
of  varied  songs,  all  sweet  and  tuneful.  Mr.  Bur- 
roughs gives  one  as  fe-o,  fe-o,  fe-o,  few,  few,  few,  fee, 
fee,  fee,  "  at  first  high  and  leisurely,  but  running  very 
rapidly  towards  the  close,  which  is  low  and  soft." 
There  are  two  others  commonly  heard  in  Maryland, 
one  of  which  can  be  given  very  nearly  on  the  piano. 
Take  C,  then  A  below,  G  adjoining,  and  back  to  C. 
Strike  each  key  rather  rapidly  four  times,  except  the 
last,  which  may  be  one  note,  three  or  five,  and  is  some- 
times trilled  an  octave  higher,  or  it  may  be  any  other 
note  than  C.  It  must  be  remembered  that  bird  songs 


92  SONG  SPARROW. 

vary  with  individual  singers,  and  the  same  bird  does 
not  always  sing  the  same  notes. 

This  Sparrow  frequents  wild  fields,  particularly 
those  that  are  overgrown  with  bushes  and  small  ever- 
greens. He  may  generally  be  found  in  nesting  time 
in  a  field  just  west  of  Chevy  Chase  Circle,  but  he  is 
so  shy  and  cunning  that  it  is  difficult  to  get  a  good 
look  at  him,  as  he  will  usually  manage  to  keep  some- 
thing, if  only  a  leaf,  between  himself  and  the  observer. 

The  nest  is  on  the  ground  or  in  a  low  bush,  and 
the  white  eggs,  4  to  5,  are  much  speckled  with  brown. 

Song  Sparrow:  Melospiza  fasciata. 

Length  about  &A  inches. 

Upper  parts  streaked,  black,  brown  and  gray. 
Under  parts  white,  with  conspicuous  dark  streaks;    a  dark 
blotch  in  center  of  the  breast. 

Resident  (abundant)  all  the  year. 

"The  blessed  little  Song  Sparrow!"  exclaims  Mrs. 
Olive  Thorne  Miller,  and  so  say  we  all.  No  bird  is 
dearer  to  us  than  this  plain-coated  little  fellow,  whose 
sweet  and  cheery  song  is  heard  in  all  weathers 
throughout  the  year.  It  sounds  especially  happy  in 
early  spring,  when  with  the  Bluebird  he  announces 
the  departure  of  winter.  Go  into  the  Smithsonian 
grounds  on  any  mild  day  in  March  or  even  in  Feb- 
ruary, and  your  heart  may  be  thrilled  by  this  delicious 
bit  of  melody.  It  begins  often  with  two  or  three  loud, 
clear  notes,  and  then  goes  rippling  round,  according 
to  the  fancy  of  the  singer.  A  homely  translation  but 
one  that  helps  the  learner  is  "  Maids,  maids,  put  on  the 
tea  kettle,  ettle,  ettle." 

The  distinguishing  mark  of  the  Song  Sparrow  is  the 
dark  blotch  on  his  breast.  He  lives  near  water  and 


CHE  WINK.  93 

will  not  be  found  far  away  from  it.  The  nest  is  on 
the  ground  or  in  a  low  bush,  and  the  eggs,  4  to  5, 
are  bluish  or  greenish-white,  speckled  with  brown. 

Che  wink;  Towhee:  Pipilo  erythrophthalmus. 

Length  about  8^4  inches. 

Upper  parts,  throat,  and  breast  black;  sides  chestnut-red, 
belly  white. 

Wings  have  white  patches,  and  outer  tail-feathers  are 
edged  and  tipped  with  white. 

Female,  brown,  where  male  is  black. 

Resident  (very  common)  from  April  15  to  October  15; 
winters  in  the  Southern  States;  may  winter  here. 

Passing  along  a  country  road,  bordered  by  woods 
where  the  undergrowth  is  thick,  you  are  likely  to  see 
the  Chewink  flitting  about  in  the  bushes,  showing  his 
white  tail-feathers  as  he  flies,  and  you  may  hear  the 
musical  questioning  call  which  has  given  him  his 
name — che-wink?  He  will  also  be  found  in  any 
woodsy,  bushy  place  where  last  year's  leaves  are  not 
cleared  away. 

The  nest,  flat  on  the  ground,  is  apt  to  be  overhung 
by  that  of  a  Catbird  or  Wood  Thrush,  while  in  deeply 
secluded  places  the  Cardinal  may  be  found  in  the  same 
company.  It  is  generally  built  in  dead  leaves,  and 
harmonizes  so  perfectly  with  its  surroundings,  the 
whitish  eggs  being  thickly  speckled  with  brown,  that 
any  but  the  sharpest  eyes  will  overlook  it. 

The  Chewink  is  very  handsome  in  his  tri-colored 
suit  of  black,  white,  and  chestnut-red,  and  his  rich 
voice  has  a  metallic  quality  which  would  put  him 
among  the  brasses  in  full  orchestra.  He  has  only  a 
few  different  tones,  but  by  transposition  he  gets  a 
variety  of  sweet  phrases.  His  most  common  song 
has  been  translated  "  Come  with  me,"  the  last  word 
trilled  on  his  highest  note. 


94  CARDINAL. 

Chewinks  are  anxious  parents,  as  well  they  may  be 
with  their  open  nest  at  the  mercy  of  every  prowling 
cat  and  chipmunk.  Dr.  Richmond  says :  "  If  you  go 
into  a  thicket  and  '  squeak  up  '  some  birds,  the  first 
to  come  forward  and  complain  of  your  presence  are 
Chewinks,  Catbirds  and  Vireos."  "  Squeaking "  is 
imitating  the  cry  of  young  birds,  winch  may  be  done 
by  kissing  the  back  of  the  hand. 

"  Marsh  Robin,"  "  Swamp  Robin,"  and  "  Ground 
Robin  "  are  local  names  for  the  Chewink. 

Cardinal;   Virginia  Red- Bird:  Cardinalis  cardinalis. 

Length  8^4  inches. 

Male,  whole  body  and  bill  bright  cardinal-red. 

A  black  mask  surrounds  the  bill  and  extends  on  the  throat; 
a  fine  long  crest. 

Female,  yellowish-brown,  with  red  bill  and  a  little  red  on 
her  crest,  wings  and  tail. 

Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

Winter  and  early  spring  are  the  best  times  to  look 
for  the  glorious  Cardinals,  as  they  are  much  less  shy 
than  when  they  have  a  nest  or  young  birds  to  guard. 
They  have  been  so  hunted  for  cage-birds  that  it  is  no 
wonder  they  are  timid,  and  hide  their  nestlings  in 
the  wildest  of  wet  undergrowth  where  we  can  with 
difficulty  follow.  A  caged  Cardinal,  condemned  to 
solitary  confinement  with  no  other  occupation  than 
jumping  between  two  sticks  a  foot  apart,  is  a  pitiful 
sight,  and  not  to  be  willingly  endured  by  any  readers 
of  that  immortal  story — "  A  Kentucky  Cardinal." 

The  rich  delicious  songs  of  this  Grosbeak — for  he 
has  several — can  be  heard  in  almost  any  wild  spot 
near  water.  Miss  Merriam  *  writes  one  as  "  cue,  cue, 

*  In  Birds  of  Village  and  Field. 


BLUE  GROSBEAK.  95 

kip,  kip,  kip,  kip,"  and  says:  "  In  the  Washington 
Zoo  Cardinals  are  common,  and  after  February  their 
song  often  rings  through  the  bare  woods." 

Blue  Grosbeak:   Guiraca  ccerulea. 

Length  7  inches. 

Male,  general  color  deep  blue. 

Wings  and  tail  black,  edged  with  blue,  the  wings  marked 
with  two  chestnut  bands. 

Bill  heavy  and  bluish. 

Female,  upper  parts  grayish-brown,  under  parts  brownish- 
buff. 

Resident  (rare)  from  May  i  to  September  30. 

The  dark  blue  of  the  male  Grosbeak  needs  sunshine 
to  bring  out  its  rich  beauty,  for  seen  in  the  shade 
it  looks  almost  black.  His  mate  is  entirely  different,, 
having  soft  neutral  tints  which  make  her  difficult  to 
discern  in  the  weeds  and  tangled  briars  where  they 
make  their  home.  They  frequent  the  wild  growth 
which  borders  small  streams,  and  there,  in  the  crotch 
of  a  bush,  or  in  tall  weeds,  the  grassy  nest  is  built, 
and  in  it  are  laid  three  or  four  bluish-white  eggs. 

These  birds  are  quiet  and  sedate  in  their  move- 
ments, and  have  a  habit,  fortunate  for  the  observer,  of 
sitting  motionless  for  some  minutes  at  a  time.  Mr. 
Ridgway  says,  "  The  usual  note  is  a  strong,  harsh 
ptchick,  and  the  song  of  the  male  is  a  very  beautiful, 
though  rather  feeble,  warble."  While  Blue  Gros- 
beaks are  considered  rare,  they  are  not  infrequently 
seen  about  Kensington,  Falls  Church  and  Anacostia. 


96  ENGLISH  SPA  RR  O IV. 

Indigo  Bunting:  Passerina  cyanea. 

Length  $l/2  inches. 

Male,  general  color  bright  greenish-blue,  darkest  on  the 
head,  brightest  on  the  back. 

Wings  and  tail  black,  margined  with  blue. 

Female,  looks  like  a  sparrow;  grayish-brown  above,  whit- 
ish below,  under  parts  indistinctly  streaked. 

Resident  (common)  from  May  i  to  October  15;  winters 
in  Central  America. 

Indigo-birds  are  found  with  the  Sparrows  in  wild 
bushy  fields.  The  coat  of  the  male  is  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  blues  in  nature,  but  his  mate  is  as  brown  and 
plain  as  her  Sparrow  companions.  The  Indigo  is 
sometimes  called  "  Blue  Canary/'  and  he  is  an  espec- 
ially happy,  persistent  songster,  warbling  on  when  the 
heat  of  summer  days  has  silenced  most  birds.  Al- 
though a  ground  bird,  building  in  a  low  bush  and 
feeding  on  worms,  caterpillars,  and  grasshoppers, 
when  not  kept  below  by  domestic  duties  or  hunger 
he  mounts  to  the  tallest  tree-top  and  "  sings  to  the 
passing  clouds." 

In  nesting  season,  Indigo-birds  are  almost  always 
found  in  the  grounds  south  of  the  Soldiers'  Home 
bordering  Glenwood  Cemetery,  and  they  are  often 
heard  in  the  Zoo,  particularly  near  the  Columbia  Road 
entrance. 

English  Sparrow;   House  Sparrow:  Passer  domes- 
ticus. 

Length  6^/4  inches. 

Male,  upper  parts  streaked  with  black  and  chestnut;  sides 
of  throat  white,  rest  of  throat  and  breast  black;  white  wing- 
bar. 

Female,  without  black  breast,  or  white  on  throat  or  wings. 

English  Sparrows  are  generally  regarded  as  an  un- 
mitigated nuisance,  but  in  spite  of  their  noise  and  filth, 


ENGLISH  SPARR  O IV.  07 

if  they  could  be  kept  in  check  they  might  be  tolerated 
in  the  city,  where  they  give  a  certain  life  to  the  streets 
and  parks  and  furnish  some  entertainment  to  children 
and  house-bound  invalids. 

It  is  in  the  suburbs  and  country  that  they  are  most 
objectionable,  for  they  drive  away  from  dwellings  and 
barns  the  native  birds  which  would  naturally  build 
about  them,  and  their  incessant,  unmusical  cries 
drown  all  other  bird  voices.  Besides  being  of  no  use 
—for  they  eat  neither  insects  nor  weed  seeds  in  ap- 
preciable quantities — they  are  positively  injurious. 
In  the  spring  they  eat  the  buds  of  fruit  trees,  par- 
ticularly those  of  peach  and  pear  trees,  and  of  currant 
and  berry  bushes  and  grape  vines,  while  later  they 
peck  at  all  kinds  of  fruit  and  green  vegetables.  They 
also  eat  an  immense  amount  of  grain. 

As  they  are  such  undesirable  tenants,  it  is  worth 
while  in  the  country  to  make  an  effort  to  get  rid  of 
them.  A  shot-gun  used  occasionally  is  effective  in 
keeping  them  from  getting  a  foot-hold  on  a  new  place, 
for  they  are  quick  to  take  a  hint,  and  if  one  or  two 
of  a  visiting  flock  are  killed  the  others  fly  away  and 
usually  do  not  return.  Nests  should  be  watched  for 
and  destroyed — an  iron  hook  at  the  end  of  a  long 
pole  is  useful  in  tearing  them  out.  However  numer- 
ous these  Sparrows  have  become  anywhere,  they  may 
be  driven  away  by  persistent  shooting  and  destroying 
nests.  Poison  is  sometimes  used — grain  soaked  in 
arsenic  or  strychnine — but  not  many  birds  will  be 
caught  by  it,  and  it  cannot  be  recommended  as  a  safe 
remedy. 


98  COWBIRD. 

Cowbird:   Molothrus  ater. 

Length  8  inches. 

Head,  neck  and  breast  brown;    rest  of  the  plumage  glossy 
black  with  metallic  reflections. 
Female,  dark  gray,  lighter  below. 
A  rare  permanent  resident. 

In  early  May  if  a  large  gray  bird  is  seen  walking 
about  the  lawn,  and  pecking  in  the  grass  like  a 
chicken,  you  may  be  sure  it  is  the  female  Cowbird, 
and  that  the  home  of  some  happy  little  songster  in  the 
neighborhood  is  likely  to  be  disturbed,  if  not  ruined, 
by  her  intrusion.  Mr.  Chapman,  in  his  "  Birds  of 
Eastern  North  America,"  writes  strongly  of  this  bird: 
'  The  Cowbird  is  an  acknowledged  villain  and  has  no 
standing  in  the  bird  world.  English  Sparrows,  either 
because  they  are  not  aware  of  the  customs  of  New- 
World  bird  life,  or  because  of  a  possible  and  not  un- 
likely affinity,  associate  with  him;  but  no  self-respect- 
ing American  bird  will  be  found  in  his  company.  .  .  . 
In  small  flocks  they  visit  both  pasture  and  woodland, 
and  are  given  to  following  cattle,  clustering  about  the 
feet  of  the  herd,  presumably  to  feed  on  the  insects 
found  there.  They  build  no  nest,  and  the  females, 
lacking  every  moral  and  maternal  instinct,  leave  their 
companions  only  long  enough  to  deposit  their  eggs 
in  the  nests  of  other  and  smaller  birds.  I  can  im- 
agine no  sight  more  strongly  suggestive  of  a  thor- 
oughly despicable  nature  than  a  female  Cowbird 
sneaking  through  the  trees  or  bushes  in  search  of  a 
victim  upon  whom  to  shift  the  duties  of  motherhood. 

"  The  ill-gotten  offspring  are  born  with  the  Cowbird 
character  fully  developed.  They  demand  by  far  the 
greater  share  of  the  food,  and  through  gluttony  or 
mere  size  alone,  starve  or  crowd  out  the  rightful  occu 


COWBIRD. 


99 


pants  of  the  nest.  They  accept  the  attention  of  their 
foster-parents  long  after  they  could  care  for  them- 
selves; and  when  nothing  more  is  to  be  gained,  desert 
them  and  join  the  growing  flocks  of  their  kind  in  the 
grain  fields." 

The  rather  large  egg  of  the  Cowbird  is  white,  evenly 
speckled  with  brown. 


100 


RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD. 


RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD. 

Red- winged  Blackbird;   Marsh  Blackbird:   Agela- 
ius  phoeniceus. 

Length  9^  inches;  female  smaller. 

Male,  glossy  black,  except  the  shoulders,  which  are  scar- 
let edged  with  buff. 

Female,  quite  different;  conspicuously  streaked  all  over 
with  brown,  black  and  whitish;  shoulder  patches  rusty-red, 
sometimes  pinkish;  touches  of  yellowish-white  on  wings. 

Resident  (common)  all  the  year;    abundant  in  migrations. 

Early  in  March  these  picturesque  birds  arrive  in 
flocks  from  the  South,  joining  their  hardier  or  more 


RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD.  101 

courageous  brothers  who  have  spent  the  winter  here. 
The  males,  gorgeous  in  their  epaulets  of  scarlet  and 
gold,  precede  by  some  days  their  less  showy  but 
equally  well-dressed  wives.  Quonk-cr-rce,  Quonk-er- 
rec,  they  cry,  and  the  musical  call  is  as  much  a  part 
of  spring  on  the  marshes  as  is  the  frog  chorus  with 
which  it  mingles. 

Most  of  the  Red-wings  soon  pass  on  north,  but 
some  remain  to  breed  in  the  marshes  of  the  Potomac 
and  Anacostia  Rivers,  and  in  other  swampy  places  in 
the  neighborhood.  Their  nest  is  built  low  in  the  reeds 
or  bushes,  and  is  composed  of  coarse  marsh  grasses 
and  weed  stalks,  well  lined  with  finer  grass  and  root- 
lets. The  eggs,  3  to  5,  vary  in  color,  but  are  most 
commonly  pale  blue,  scrawled  and  blotched  in  heavy 
dark  lines,  as  if  done  with  a  broad  stub  pen. 

These  Blackbirds  are  most  abundant  in  autumn, 
when  they  flock  over  the  Potomac  flats  in  company 
with  the  Reed-birds  (Bobolinks).  They  begin  to 
gather  as  early  as  the  first  week  in  August  and  grow 
more  numerous  with  frequent  arrivals  from  the  north 
until  October,  when  most  of  them  depart  to  spend  the 
winter  gleaning  in  southern  rice  fields. 


102 


MEADOWLARK. 


MEADOWLARK. 

Meadowlark:  Sturnella  magna. 

Length  about  n  inches. 

Upper  parts  mixed,  brown,  black  and  buffy;  outer  tail- 
feathers  white. 

Breast  bright  yellow,  with  a  large  black  crescent. 
Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

The  Meadowlark  is  seen  flying  over  meadows,  or 
singing  from  a  fence  rail  or  a  dead  branch.  He  will 
be  known  in  flight  by  his  white  tail-feathers,  and,  when 
perching,  if  he  faces  you,  by  the  black  crescent  on  his 
yellow  breast. 

The  Lark  has  a  heavenly  voice,  and  we  are  grateful 
to  him  for  being  so  generous  with  it;  all  day  long  it 
rises  from  the  meadows,  and  he  sings  much  earlier 
and  later  in  the  year  than  most  birds.  In  bird  or- 
chestra his  voice  is  the  flute,  carrying  a  clear,  sustained 


BALTIMORE  ORIOLE. 


103 


melody  through  all  the  varied  music  of  fields  and 
thickets. 

The  nest  is  on  the  ground  and  is  often  domed  to 
look  like  a  tussock  of  dried  grass.  It  will  only  be 
found  by  accident  or  diligent  search,  for  the  old  birds 
do  not  drop  directly  to  it,  but  go  down  some  distance 
away  and  run  along  through  the  grass  or  clover.  The 
rather  large  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  white,  thickly  speckled 
with  cinnamon-brown. 

The  winter  plumage  of  the  Meadowlark  is  much 
duller  than  that  of  summer.  Prof.  Beal  counts  him 
among  our  most  useful  birds,  and  says  he  is  "  entitled 
to  all  possible  protection." 

Baltimore  Oriole :   Icterus  galbula. 

Length  7^2  inches. 

Male,  head,  neck  and  upper  back  black. 

Under  parts  and  lower  back  bright  orange:  wings  and 
tail  mostly  black. 

Female,  upper  parts  brown  and  black;  under  parts  dull 
orange;  white  wing-bars. 

Resident  (rather  common)  from  May  i  to  September; 
winters  in  Central  America. 

We  are  always  delighted  when  a  pair  of  Baltimore 
Orioles  elect  to  swing  their  hammock  in  one  of  our 
tree-tops.  Life  seems  uncommonly  well  worth  living 
when  set  to  such  joyous  music  as  they  shower  down 
on  us  all  day  long  in  early  summer;  and  then  it  is  a 
rare  pleasure  to  see  the  golden  beauty  flashing  in  and 
out  of  the  foliage,  and  to  watch  the  domestic  ways  of 
his  pretty  brown  mate  with  the  white  wing-bars, 
whose  identity  was  such  a  puzzle  when  we  first  began 
to  make  bird  acquaintances.  One  little  dame  was 
friendly  enough  to  let  us  overlook  her  weaving  and  to 
graciously  accept  the  bits  of  string  we  offered  her.  The 


104  ORCHARD  ORIOLE. 

Oriole's  nest  is  a  marvel  of  intelligence  and  skill,  and 
one  wonders  that  all  the  other  birds  do  not  learn 
weaving  and  take  it  for  a  model.  It  is  a  deep  pocket, 
flexible  and  strong,  hung  far  out  at  the  end  of  a 
branch,  on  twigs  too  slender  to  support  the  weight  of 
marauding  crow7  or  squirrel,  and  so  constructed  that 
the  wildest  winds  cannot  loosen  it  or  spill  out  eggs 
or  nestlings.  Even  human  ingenuity  could  scarcely 
suggest  an  improvement. 

As  a  destroyer  of  injurious  insects,  this  Oriole  is  of 
great  value.  Nearly  half  his  food  is  caterpillars  and 
the  rest  is  largely  beetles,  ants,  grasshoppers,  rose- 
bugs  and  spiders.  What  a  difference  in  our  foliage, 
fruit  and  flowers  when  we  have  these  for  bird 
neighbors! 

While  the  song  of  the  Baltimore  is  especially  mel- 
low and  flute-like,  his  talking  note  is  a  rather  harsh 
kr-r-r-r-r.  This  note  is  usually  heard  when  the  birds 
are  about,  in  or  out  of  the  song  season.  Both  Balti- 
more and  Orchard  Orioles  nest  in  the  Smithsonian 
grounds. 

Orchard  Oriole :  Icterus  spurius. 

Length  7*4  inches. 

Male,  head,  neck  and  upper  back  black;  rest  of  the  body 
rich  chestnut;  wings  and  tail  blackish. 

Female,  upper  parts  olive-green;  under  parts  dull  yellow; 
wings  dark  brown  with  white  bars. 

First  year  males  are  like  female;  second  year  males  have 
a  large  black  patch  on  the  throat. 

Resident  (common)  from  May  i  to  September;  winters 
in  Central  America. 

The  Orchard  Oriole  is  more  common  than  the  Bal- 
timore, but  is  less  frequently  noticed,  as  his  colors 
are  inconspicuous  and  he  keeps  rather  close  in  thickly- 


PURPLE  CRACKLE.  105 

foliagecl  trees.  He  is  quite  as  desirable  a  neighbor  as 
his  gay  cousin.  Their  songs  are  much  alike,  though 
that  of  the  Orchard  usually  ends  with  a  graceful 
flourish,  the  note  next  the  last  the  highest,  while  the 
Baltimore  leaves  his  hanging  in  mid-air  with  no  sug- 
gestion of  finish. 

As  the  name  implies,  this  is  a  bird  of  the  orchards, 
and  the  nest  is  generally  in  a  fruit  tree;  it  is  pensile 
and  flexible,  but  not  so  deep  as  the  Baltimore's  and  is 
fastened  to  upright  twigs,  so  that  it  has  not  the  free 
swing  of  the  other.  It  is  most  beautifully  woven  of 
fresh  grasses,  and  often  keeps  its  green  color  through- 
out the  season.  The  eggs,  3  to  5,  are  bluish-white, 
spotted  and  scrawled  with  dark  brown.  The  young, 
in  pale  tints  of  brown,  green  and  gold,  are  among  the 
prettiest  in  Birdland.  Major  Bendire  writes:  "  Few 
birds  do  more  good  and  less  harm  than  the  Orchard 
Oriole,  especially  to  the  fruit  grower.  The  bulk  of  its 
food  consists  of  small  beetles,  plant  lice,  flies,  hairless 
caterpillars,  cabbage-worms,  grasshoppers,  rose-bugs 
and  larvae  of  all  kinds." 


Purple  Crackle;    Crow  Blackbird:    Quiscalus  quis- 
cula. 

Length  12  inches. 

Head,  neck  and  breast  iridescent  purple  and  green;  rest 
of  the  body  glossy  black. 

Female,  without  iridescence. 

Common  in  migration  and  in  summer;  a  few  winter  here; 
winters  generally  in  the  Southern  States. 

The  earliest  of  all  the  feathered  flocks  to  arrive  are 
the  Crow  Blackbirds.  Often  by  the  2oth  of  February 
they  have  taken  possession  of  the  large  evergreen 
trees  in  the  Smithsonian  grounds,  and  "  the  air  is  filled 


106  CROW. 

with  crackling,  splintering,  spurting  semi-musical 
sounds  which  are  like  pepper  and  salt  to  the  ear." 
(Burroughs.) 

Crackles  spend  much  time  on  the  ground,  hunting 
worms,  grasshoppers  and  other  insects,  and  as  they 
walk  about  the  city  parks,  or  in  the  country  over 
greening  meadows  and  new-ploughed  fields,  they  are 
a  picturesque  part  of  the  spring  landscape. 

They  nest  in  small  colonies,  generally  building  in 
the  tops  of  trees.  The  nest  is  bulky  and  deep,  and 
the  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  dingy  white,  scrawled  and  spotted 
with  brown. 


American  Crow:   Corvus 


amencamis. 


Length  19  inches. 

Black  all  over,  with  steel-blue  and  purplish  reflections. 

Resident  (abundant)  all  the  year. 

Residents  of  Washington  are  familiar  with  the  sight 
of  a  seemingly  endless  procession  of  Crows  straggling 
across  the  sunset  sky  to  the  famous  roost  at  Arlington. 
In  the  earliest  morning  hours  the  same  birds  might 
have  been  seen  passing  eastward  to  their  feeding 
grounds  on  the  Chesapeake  shores.  Why  Crows 
should  take  this  long  journey  twice  a  day,  often 
against  strong  winds  and  winter  storms,  is  a  mystery; 
we  wonder  that  they  do  not  choose  a  roosting  place 
nearer  their  food  supply. 

The  Arlington  roost  covers  from  twelve  to  fifteen 
acres,  and  at  times  as  many  as  one  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  Crows  have  gathered  there  nightly,  but 
since  the  winter  of  '94-'95  the  number  has  been  much 
reduced.  The  Agricultural  Department  publishes  a 
bulletin,  "  The  Common  Crow  "  which  is  full  of  in- 


FISH  CROW.  107 

teresting  information  concerning  the  habits  and 
peculiarities  of  this  very  intelligent  bird. 

In  spring  Crows  leave  the  roost  and  scatter  over  the 
country  to  breed,  buil.ding  their  nests  high  in  trees, 
generally  in  pines.  They  are  most  likely  to  build  on 
the  edge  of  the  woods,  but  sometimes  in  a  detached 
tree  in  the  open.  The  nest  is  composed  of  sticks, 
corn-husks,  and  other  coarse  material,  all  very  sub- 
stantially put  together,  and  lined  with  grass,  leaves 
and  rags.  It  is  about  two  feet  in  diameter  outside. 
Four  to  six  eggs  are  laid,  generally  bluish-green, 
thickly  marked  with  brown.  "  The  young  are  born 
blind  and  naked,  and  remain  in  the  nest  about  three 
weeks." 

If  a  young  Crow  is  taken  about  the  time  he  is  ready 
to  leave  the  nest,  he  readily  adapts  himself  to  new 
conditions  and  makes  an  interesting  pet.  He  will 
want  raw  egg  and  bits  of  fresh  meat  at  first,  but  after- 
wards any  scraps  from  the  table  are  acceptable.  A 
tame  Crow  shows  no  preference  for  corn,  and  only 
eats  it  when  he  can  get  nothing  else. 

Fish  Crow:   Corvus  ossifragus. 

The  Fish  Crow  is  smaller  than  the  Common  Crow, 
but  the  difference  is  not  perceptible  in  the  field.  He 
can  there  be  distinguished  only  by  his  voice,  which 
has  a  pronounced  nasal  quality.  Instead  of  cazv,  he 
cries  car,  "  as  if  through  his  nose." 

Fish  Crows  will  not  be  found  far  from  water.  They 
are  extremely  common  about  Washington  and  are 
almost  always  seen  in  the  Smithsonian  grounds  and 
along  Rock  Creek  in  the  Zoological  Park.  They  are 
said  to  be  more  destructive  to  the  eggs  and  nestlings 


108  BLUE  JAY. 

of  other  birds  than  are  the  Common  Crows.  About 
the  Smithsonian  t  they  have  been  seen  picking  young 
English  Sparrows  out  of  their  nests.  They  build  in 
the  tops  of  pine  trees,  rather  higher  than  other  Crows. 

Blue  Jay:    Cyanocitta  cristata. 

Length  about  12  inches. 

Upper  parts  and  crest  grayish-blue;  wings  and  fan-shaped 
tail  bright  blue,  barred  with  black  and  patched  with  white. 

Under  parts  grayish-white,  a  black  collar  extending  up 
across  the  back  of  the  head. 

Resident  (rather  rare)  all  the  year;  common  in  migra- 
tions. 

The  Blue  Jay  is  so  large  and  handsome  and  noisy 
that  one  need  not  hunt  him  with  an  opera  glass  nor 
puzzle  over  his  identity.  His  shrill  voice  at  once 
attracts  attention,  and  the  high  crest,  black  collar,  and 
barred  wings  and  tail  are  all  conspicuous  marks. 
Among  his  many  calls  and  cries  one  suggests  his  own 
name,  jay,  jay,  another  a  creaking  cart-wheel. 

The  Jay  is  uncommon  about  Washington,  which  is 
not  to  be  altogether  regretted,  for  he  is  a  great  dis- 
turber of  the  peace  in  Birdland.  Out  in  Maryland, 
when  we  hear  a  commotion  among  the  woodland 
birds,  we  are  pretty  sure  that  a  Jay  or  Crow  is  at  the 
bottom  of  the  trouble,  and  are  more  likely  to  hear  the 
tantalizing  scream  of  the  Blue  Jay  as  he  flies  off  than 
the  contemptuous  nm'  of  the  black  cannibal.  Both 
these  birds  are  nest-robbers,  though  ornithologists 
say  the  Jay  is  not  so  bad  as  his  reputation,  as  few 
remains  of  eggs  or  nestlings  have  been  found  in  the 
stomachs  examined;  so  it  may  be  concluded  that  he 
is  more  mischievous  than  dangerous.  In  watching 
birds  in  the  woods  it  is  interesting  to  see  how  different 
species  will  unite  against  a  common  enemy — a  dis- 


BLUE  JAY.  109 

tressed  cry  from  one  bird  will  bring  all  the  others  in 
the  neighborhood. 

The  usefulness  of  the  Blue  Jay  seems  to  be  in.  eating 
the  moth  which  is  destructive  to  grapes,  and  in  plant- 
ing trees.  He  hides  nuts  and  acorns  in  holes  in  the 
ground  and  many  of  them  sprout  and  grow,  so  that 
we  are  indebted  to  him  for  some  of  our  finest  forest 
trees — oak,  chestnut,  and  beech. 

Jays  build  in  trees,  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  above  the 
ground,  generally  where  a  branch  joins  the  trunk. 
The  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  thickly  marked  with  cinnamon- 
brown. 


FLYCATCHERS. 

Flycatchers  have  big  heads  and  shoulders,  and  long, 
flat  bills,  slightly  hooked  at  the  end.  Their  manner  of 
feeding  is  hawklike:  from  a  prominent  perch,  which 
gives  a  free,  wide  outlook,  one  will  dash  out  after  a 
passing  insect,  seize  it  with  a  click  of  the  hooked  bill, 
and  return  to  his  stand  in  readiness  for  the  next 
comer. 

As  Flycatchers  live  entirely  on  insects,  they  go 
south  early  in  the  fall.  We  have  nesting  here  the 
Phoebe,  Kingbird,  Wood  Pewee,  the  Acadian  and 
Great  Crested  Flycatchers,  and  in  migration  may  see 
the  Alder,  Yellow-bellied,  and  the  Least — also  called 
Chebec. 


KINGBIRD. 


I  1 1 


KINGBIRD. 


Kingbird:    Tyranmis  tyrannus. 

Length  Sy2  inches. 

Upper  parts  slate-color;  head  black  with  concealed  orange- 
red  crest;  tail  black,  with  terminal  band  of  white. 

Under  parts  white. 

Resident  (common)  from  April  20  to  September;  winters 
in  Central  and  South  America. 

When  a  bird  is  seen  chasing  a  Crow  or  Hawk  and 
driving  it  far  out  of  the  neighborhood,  that  is  prob- 
ably the  brave  Kingbird  defending  his  nest.  And  if 
a  rather  large  gray  bird  with  a  white  breast,  and  black 
tail  tipped  with  white,  is  seen  perched  on  a  fence-post 
or  telegraph  wire  from  which  he  frequently  circles  out, 


1 1 2  GREA  T  CRESTED  FL  YCA  TCHER. 

it  is  doubtless  this  Flycatcher  getting  his  dinner.  If 
near  enough  you  would  hear  a  sharp  click  of  the  bill 
at  every  foray,  for  he  seldom  misses  his  mark. 

Kingbirds  are  abundant,  which  is  fortunate  for  the 
country,  as  nearly  nine-tenths  of  their  food  is  injurious 
insects.  They  are  especially  partial  to  potato-bugs, 
grasshoppers,  and  rose-chafers. 

The  nest  is  usually  in  large  trees,  from  ten  to  thirty 
feet  up,  and  is  placed  well  out  on  a  branch.  It  is  cup- 
shaped,  built  of  roots  and  grasses  and  lined  with  finer 
stuff.  Three  eggs  are  generally  laid,  sometimes  four, 
much  blotched  and  speckled  with  brown  Dr.  Rich- 
mond says  "  Kingbirds  prefer  solitary  trees  in  which 
to  build  their  nests,  probably  because  they  can  keep 
closer  watch  on  their  preserves."  These  birds  are 
devoted  to  their  nest  and  are  so  vigilant  that  it  is  safe 
to  say  it  is  never  molested  unawares.  The  young 
are  the  most  petted  and  pampered  of  bird  children, 
and  are  kept  in  the  tree-tops  and  fed  until  they  are  as 
large  as  their  parents  and  can  be  distinguished  from 
them  only  by  the  shorter  tail. 

The  fear  which  Crows  have  of  the  Kings  was  shown 
very  amusingly  by  a  tame  Crow  we  once  had.  When- 
ever Kingbirds  came  about  the  lawn  the  Crow  would 
scurry  under  the  porch  or  fly  to  us  for  protection. 

Great  Crested  Flycatcher:  Myiarchus  crinitus. 

Length  9  inches. 

Upper  parts  olive-green'.     A  low  pointed  crest. 
Throat  and  breast  pearl-gray,  belly  yellow. 
Resident  (common)  from  April  25  to  September;    winters 
in  southern  Florida  and  Central  America. 

The  Crested  Flycatcher  is  partial  to  wooded,  rocky 
hillsides  where  arbutus  and  laurel  grow,  but  he  may 


GREA  T  CRESTED  FL  YCA  TCHER.  1 1 3 

be  found  in  any  open  woods,  and  he  also  comes  to 
well  shaded  lawns.  He  announces  his  presence  by  a 
ringing  shout,  a  sort  of  "  Hurrah,"  so  characteristic 
that  after  a  first  hearing  one  is  not  likely  to  mistake 
it  for  any  other  bird-call,  but  will  say  with  confidence, 
"  There's  a  Great  Crest  ! "  He  is  a  handsome,  dis- 
tinguished-looking bird  as  he  stands  erect  on  his 
perch,  turning  his  crested  head  this  way  and  that, 
watching  for  winged  insects  to  come  within  his  range. 
The  pearl-gray  and  lemon-yellow  of  his  waistcoat  are 
a  particularly  esthetic  combination. 

This  Flycatcher's  nest  is  in  a  hole,  not  like  a  Wood- 
pecker's, but  in  a  natural  cavity,  and  most  often  in  a 
hollow  limb.  The  nest  is  interesting  from  the  bird's 
habit  of  using  cast-off  snake  skin  in  its  construction, 
presumably  with  the  intention  of  frightening  away 
intruders.  The  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  creamy-white  or  buff, 
streaked  lengthwise  with  fine  lines  as  if  done  with  a 
pen.  These  Flycatchers  may  generally  be  seen — or 
heard — in  the  Zoological  Park,  and  in  the  Soldiers' 
Home  woods. 


114 


PHCEBE. 


PHCEBE. 

Phoebe :   Sayornis  phcebe. 

Length  7  inches. 

Upper  parts  olive-brown;    crown,  wings  and  tail  darker. 

Under  parts  white,  slightly  washed  with  yellowish;  a  touch 
of  white  on  outer  tail-feathers. 

Resident  from  March  5  to  October;  winters  from  North 
Carolina  to  Cuba  and  Mexico. 

One  of  the  earliest  bird-notes  country  people  bear 
in  spring  is  this  Flycatcher's  pleasant  call  of  phce'-be. 
He  is  often  called  Pewee,  but  incorrectly,  as  the  latter 
name  belongs  strictly  to  his  relative  the  Wood  Pewee. 
The  two  birds  are  much  alike,  but  the  Pewee  has  white 
wing-bars.  Mr.  Ridgway  says  an  easy  and  infallible 
means  of  distinguishing  between  them  is  the  Phoebe's 


WOOD  PEWEE.  115 

habit  of  swinging  his  tail  when  perching;  this  the 
Pewee  never  does. 

Phoebes  build  about  porches,  and  in  barns  and 
sheds,  generally  on  a  beam;  also  about  bridges,  and 
sometimes  under  a  shelving  bank  or  rock  as  their 
ancestors  did  when  there  was  no  other  shelter.  The 
nest  is  of  mud,  lined  with  fine  grasses  and  horse  hair, 
and  is  usually  covered  outside  with  bits  of  feathery 
moss  which  must  conceal  it  admirably  when  built  on 
mossy  rocks.  The  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  pure  white,  gen- 
erally unmarked. 

No  birds  are  more  useful  than  Phcebes  in  destroy- 
ing tormenting  insects,  and  those  that  injure  fruit, 
flowers  and  vegetables,  and  we  are  fortunate  if  a  pair 
settle  themselves  on  our  premises,  for  they  can  be 
depended  upon  to  return  year  after  year. 

Wood  Pewee:   Contopus  virens. 

Length  6l/2  inches. 

Upper  parts  dark  olive. 

Under  parts  brown,  washed  with  gray  on  sides  of  the 
throat  and  breast. 

Two  more  or  less  distinct  white  wing-bars. 

Resident  (common)  from  May  I  to  October  16;  winters 
in  Central  America. 

The  woodland  song  that  one  is  most  sure  of  hearing 
any  time  of  day  the  summer  through  is  the  tender 
adagio  strain  of  the  Wood  Pewee.  Pe-a-wee,  pe  wee, 
he  dreamily  sings,  and  we  feel  at  once  something  of 
the  peace  and  restfulness  of  the  woods. 

The  shallow  nest  i^  built  high,  generally  in  large 
trees,  and  is  covered  with  lichens  like  the  Humming- 
bird's. It  so  perfectly  resembles  a  knot  of  the  branch 
on  which  it  rests  that  unless  you  see  the  bird  go  on 
or  off  you  will  not  suspect  it  of  being  anything  else. 


1 1 6  A  CAD  IAN  FL  YCA  TCHER. 

The  eggs,  3  to  4,  are  white  with  a  wreath  of  dark 
spots  at  the  larger  end.  A  Pewee's  nest  with  the 
mother-bird  on  may  be  seen  at  the  Smithsonian. 

Acadian   Flycatcher;    Green-crested    Flycatcher: 

Empidonax  virescens. 

Length  nearly  6  inches. 

Upper  parts  grayish-green,  wings  and  tail  darker;  two 
conspicuous  white  wing-bars. 

Under  parts  white,  washed  with  yellowish. 

Resident  (common)  from  May  5  to  September  15;  win- 
ters in  Central  America. 

The  Acadian,  although  common,  is  perhaps  not  so 
well  known  as  the  other  Flycatchers,  for  he  keeps 
to  the.  shady,  secluded  corners  of  our  woods  and  must 
be  looked  for.  His  haunts  are  in  woods  near  water, 
generally  by  small  streams,  ponds  and  springs,  and 
he  is  likely  to  be  seen  in  the  lower  branches  of  young 
trees,  especially  where  these  grow  in  Nature's  own 
wild,  crowded  fashion. 

The  call-note  of  the  Acadian  is  peculiar,  and  is 
given  as  wick-np  and  hick-up,  from  which  he  gets  a 
nickname  of  "  Hick-up  Bird."  The  nest  is  shallow 
and  thin,  woven  of  fine  rootlets,  grass  and  dry  blos- 
soms, and  the  rim  is  attached  to  a  forked  twig  near 
the  end  of  a  branch,  like  the  Vireo  nests.  Almost 
always  some  loose  bit  of  stuff  is  left  hanging  from  the 
center. 

The  eggs,  4,  are  creamy-white,  spotted  at  the  larger 
end  with  cinnamon-brown. 


CHIMNE  Y  S IV I  FT. 


117 


Chimney  Swift;  Chimney  Swallow:   Chcztura pela- 
gica. 

Length  about  5^/2  inches. 
General  color,  sooty;  throat  whitish. 

Wings  long  and  slender;    tail  short  and  tipped  with  spines. 
Resident  (abundant)  from  April  15  to  October  16;    winters 
in  Central  America. 

"  Few  sights  in  the  bird  world  are  more  familiar 
than  the  bow-and-arrow-like  forms  of  these  rapidly 
flying  birds,  silhouetted  against  the  sky."  (Chap- 
man.) It  is  interesting  to  watch  a  flock  at  dusk  cir- 
cling about  a  big  chimney,  into  which,  with  a  twit- 
tering good-night  to  the  darkening  world,  they  drop 
one  by  one,  until  the  last  has  disappeared. 

There  are  many  chimneys  in  and  about  the  city 
which  are  the  summer  homes  of  Swifts,  and  out  in  the 
country  there  are  but  few  old  ones  unoccupied  by 
them.  Swifts  are  peculiar  in  never  perching  as  other 
birds  do,  but  they  hang  themselves  up  against  the 
brick  or  stone  wall  of  a  chimney  by  catching  their 
claws  into  a  crevice  and  using  the  short,  stiff  tail  as 
a  prop. 

The  nest  is  a  basket  of  twigs  fastened  together  and 
against  the  wall  with  glutinous  saliva.  They  gather 
the  material  for  it  on  the  wing,  breaking  off  dead  twigs 
with  beak  or  feet.  The  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  pure  white, 
as  in  the  hidden  home  no  protective  markings  are 
needed. 

A  Swift's  nest  in  a  section  of  old  chimney  may  be 
seen  at  the  Smithsonian. 


!  1 8          RUBY-  THR  OA  TED  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Ruby-throated  Hummingbird:   Trochilns  colubris. 

Length  3^  inches. 

Upper  parts  shining  green;    throat  metallic  ruby-red. 
Female,  without  red  throat. 

Resident  (common)  from  April  25  to  September;  winters 
from  southern  Florida  to  Central  America. 

"  Was  it  a  gem  half  bird? 

Or  was  it  a  bird  half  gem?" 

The  poet's  questions  seem  to  suggest  this  exquisite 
little  creature  better  than  prosy  facts  as  to  color  and 
size;  and  indeed,  if  we  see  it  only  when  it  comes  flash- 
ing about  our  honeysuckle  and  weigelia  bushes — 
poising  an  instant  on  unseen  wings  before  each  dainty 
blossom — we  can  scarcely  believe  that  it  has  the  same 
matter-of-fact  existence  as  other  birds.  But  that  tiny 
body  holds  as  many  joys,  hopes,  and  fears  as  any  of 
its  larger  brothers,  and  it  holds  also  an  intense  devo- 
tion to  the  loveliest  and  smallest  nest  in  Birdland. 

It  is  often  the  bird's  anxiety  about  her  nest  that 
enables  you  to  find  it.  Walking  through  the  woods 
you  will  perhaps  be  startled  by  a  loud  humming  noise 
circling  your  head,  and  then  you  may  see  a  Humming- 
bird light,  uttering  a  sharp  little  chip  which  is  her  only 
speech.  By  this  you  will  know  that  the  nest  is  near, 
and  you  need  only  look  over  the  rather  high,  slender 
branches  in  the  vicinity  to  discover  it.  It  is  possibly 
an  inch  and  a  half  in  diameter  and  saddled  to  a  limb 
about  the  same  thickness.  It  is  composed  of  plant 
down,  most  skillfully  felted  together,  and  the  outside 
is  so  beautifully  stuccoed  with  lichens  that  it  looks  ex- 
actly like  a  knot  on  the  limb;  inside  it  is  scarcely 
larger  than  a  thimble,  and  contains  two  pearly  eggs 
unmarred  by  spot  or  line. 

The  beautiful  Sphinx  moth,  which  also  feeds  from 


WHIP-PO OR-  WILL.  1 1 9 

flower  cups,  is  sometimes  mistaken  for  a  Humming- 
bird, but  close  observation  will  show  the  difference  in 
feet  and  bill. 

Whip-poor-will:   Antrostomus  vociferus. 

Length  gl/2  inches. 

Mottled  all  over  with  black,  brown  and  white;  a  conspicu- 
ous white  band  across  the  upper  breast. 

Three  outer  tail-feathers  white,  shown  distinctly  in  flight. 

Female  has  buff  instead  of  white  band  and  patches. 

Resident  from  April  20  to  October;  winters  from  Florida 
southward. 

Whip-poor-wills  live  in  dense,  wild  woods,  conse- 
quently are  not  heard  near  the  city,  but  at  Takoma 
Park  and  farther  out  they  are  not  uncommon.  As  they 
fly  only  at  night  they  are  seldom  seen,  but  in  passing 
through  a  bit  of  thick  woods  in  daytime  you  may 
sometimes  start  one  up,  when  he  will  fly  low  for  a 
short  distance  and  settle  lengthwise  on  a  limb  or  log. 
His  flight  is  so  noiseless  that  it  seems  weird  in  the 
deeply  shaded  woods.  He  feeds  entirely  on  in- 
sects, chiefly  moths,  and  can  engulf  the  largest 
in  his  great  mouth,  aided  by  the  long  stiff  bristles 
which  surround  it.  No  nest  is  built,  the  two  speckled 
eggs  being  laid  on  the  bare  ground,  or  on  dry  leaves. 

If  near  the  Whip-poor-will  when  he  is  singing,  you 
may  hear  the  peculiar  double  chuck  he  gives  between 
calls,  and  can  imagine  that  he  says  to  himself,  "  I 
won't,"  after  each  threat  to  whip  poor  Will.  One 
little  boy,  whose  summer  home  is  near  woods  where 
he  always  hears  the  Whip-poor-will  at  twilight,  calls 
him  the  bedtime  bird,  and  thinks  he  says  "  go  to 
sleep,  go  to  sleep." 


1 20  NIGHTHA  WK, 

Nighthawk;   Bull  Bat:   Chordeiles  virginianus. 

Length  10  inches. 

Male,  upper  parts  mottled,  black,  brown,  and  yellowish- 
white. 

Under  parts  lighter,  banded  across  with  waving  lines  of 
brown. 

A  broad  triangular  band  of  white  on  the  throat,  a  large 
white  spot  on  the  wings,  and  a  band  of  white  across  the  tail. 

Female,  without  white  on  throat  and  tail. 

Resident  (not  uncommon)  from  April  25  to  October;  win- 
ters in  South  America. 

The  Nighthawk  is  seen  in  the  late  afternoon  and 
early  evening  flying  high  in  the  air  in  erratic  bat-like 
fashion  in  pursuit  of  his  "  daily  bread."  As  he  flies 
he  utters  at  intervals  a  loud  squeak,  and  in  breeding 
season  sometimes  drops  suddenly  toward  the  earth 
with  a  whirring  noise  which  has  been  likened  to  that 
made  by  the  swift  turning  of  a  spinning-wheel.  This 
is  produced  by  the  air  rushing  through  the  stiffened 
wings  and  tail,  and  can  be  heard  at  some  distance. 
The  white  spots  on  the  long  narrow  wings  look  round 
from  below,  and  are  spoken  of  as  "  a  hole  in  the  wing.'' 

Nighthawks,  when  resting,  perch  lengthwise  on 
limb  or  log  like  the  Whip-poor-will,  and  are  invisible 
to  careless  observers.  They  build  no  nest,  and  the 
two  thickly  speckled  eggs  are  laid  on  the  ground  or 
on  a  rock  where  they  seem  to  be  part  of  their  sur- 
roundings and  only  very  sharp  eyes  will  discover 
them.  If  found  out  and  the  old  birds  know  it,  they 
will  at  once  remove  them  to  another  place,  carrying 
them  in  their  capacious  mouths.  Warren  says:  "  I 
have  known  the  Nighthawk  to  move  its  eggs  a  dis- 
tance of  over  two  hundred  yards  within  an  hour  after 
I  had  discovered  them." 

These  birds  sometimes  breed  in  the  city,  laying  their 
eggs  on  the  roofs  of  houses. 


WOODPECKERS. 

Woodpeckers  have  a  large  powerful  bill,  which  is 
very  sharp  and  is  used  as  a  chisel  to  excavate  holes  in 
trees,  and  to  dig  out  insects  that  burrow  .in  the  wood. 
The  tongue  is  long  and  barbed  and  can  be  thrust  far 
out  of  the  mouth  to  extract  such  insects  as  the  bill 
cannot  reach.  These  birds  do  an  immense  amount 
of  good  in  preserving  our  forests  and  orchards  from 
the  ravages  of  wood-borers,  ants,  and  other  insects 
injurious  to  wood. 

Instead  of  having  three  toes  in  front  and  one  be- 
hind, as  most  birds  do,  Woodpeckers  have  two  stout 
toes  behind  and  two  in  front  which  enable  them  to 
climb  tree-trunks  easily,  and  when  they  stop  to  dig 
or  rest  they  are  propped  by  the  hind  toes,  and  by  their 
stiff,  pointed  tail-feathers.  They  are  said  to  often 
sleep  in  this  position. 

Woodpeckers  do  not  sing,  but  with  the  bill  drum 
their  love-song  on  a  dead  limb  or  other  resonant  sur- 
face. Their  hammering  power  is  tremendous,  as  was 
realized  by  the  inmates  of  a  slab-covered  lodge  which 
Red-heads  sometimes  visited.  One  could  imagine  the 
consternation  among  the  denizens  of  a  tree-trunk 
when  a  Woodpecker  knocks  for  admittance.  He  is 
often  seen  to  tap  and  then  turn  his  head  to  listen  as 
if  locating  his  prey,  which  he  is  said  to  do  unerringly. 

Woodpeckers'  holes  are  small  at  the  surface  but 
roomy  inside,  and  are  from  six  to  twenty-four  inches 
deep.  Their  eggs  are  always  pure  white  without 
markings. 


122  HAIRY  WOODPECKER. 

Downy  Woodpecker:  Dry  abates  pub  esc  ens. 

Length  nearly  7  inches. 

Upper  parts  black  with  a  white  stripe  down  the  middle 
of  the  back,  and  in  the  male,  a  scarlet  band  across  the  back 
of  the  neck. 

Wings  and  tail  black,  thickly  spotted  with  white;  outer 
tail-feathers  white,  barred  with  black. 

Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

The  Downy  is  our  smallest  and  commonest  Wood- 
pecker, and  is  likely  to  be  seen  wherever  there  are  old 
trees,  even  about  those  of  our  lawns  and  gardens.  In 
spring  he  is  a  persistent  drummer,  and  beats  his  roll- 
ing tattoo  on  a  dead  limb  or  a  tin  roof  with  equal 
energy  and  satisfaction  to  himself.  He  frequently 
calls  out  peek,  peek,  and  gives  besides  a  harsh  trill 
which  he  probably  intends  for  a  song.  When  nesting 
begins  he  is  much  more  sedate  and  we  hear  only  a 
quiet  tap,  tap,  tapping  on  the  trees  as  he  goes  about 
in  search  of  food.  He  is  a  sociable  fellow,  and  in 
autumn  often  joins  the  cheery  group  of  Chickadees, 
Tufted  Tits,  and  Nuthatches  which  roam  our  woods 
through  the  winter.  Mr.  Chapman  asks,  "  Who  can 
estimate  the  enormous  numbers  of  insects'  eggs  and 
larvae  which  these  patient  explorers  of  twig  and  trunk 
destroy?" 

Hairy  Woodpecker:  Dry  abates  vUlosus. 

The  Hairy  Woodpecker  is  like  the  Downy  except 
that  the  outer  tail-feathers  are  not  barred  with  black, 
and  he  is  much  larger,  being  nearly  ten  inches  long. 
He  seldom  nests  here,  but  is  not  uncommon  in  spring 
and  autumn  and  is  sometimes  found  in  winter. 


RED-HEADED   WOODPECKER.  123 


RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 

Red-headed  Woodpecker:  Melanerpes  erytliroceph- 
alus. 

Length  gY>  inches. 

Head,  neck  and  upper  breast  crimson-red. 

Upper  back,  wings  and  tail  bluish-black. 

Lower  back,  under  parts,  and  a  broad  stripe  across  the 
wings,  white. 

Young,  gray  where  adults  are  red. 

An  uncommon  summer  and  rare  winter  resident. 

In  "  Birds  in  the  Bush,"  Bradford  Torrey  writes  of 
the  Red-headed  Woodpecker:  "This  showy  bird  has 


124  RED-HEADED    WOODPECKER. 

for  a  good  many  years  been  very  rare  in  Massachu- 
setts; and  therefore  when,  during  the  freshness  of  my 
ornithological  researches,  I  went  to  Washington  for  a 
month's  visit,  it  was  one  of  the  things  which  I  had 
especially  in  mind,  to  make  his  acquaintance.  But  I 
looked  for  him  without  success  till,  at  the  end  of  a  fort- 
night, I  made  a  pilgrimage  to  Mount  Vernon.  Here, 
after  visiting  the  grave  and  going  over  the  house,  as 
every  visitor  does,  I  sauntered  about  the  grounds, 
thinking  of  the  great  man  who  used  to  do  the  same  so 
many  years  before,  but  all  the  while  keeping  my  eyes 
open  for  the  present  feathered  inhabitants  of  the 
sacred  spot.  Soon  a  bird  darted  by  me  and  struck 
against  the  trunk  of  an  adjacent  tree,  and  glancing  up 
quickly  I  beheld  my  much-sought  Red-headed  Wood- 
pecker. How  appropriately  patriotic  he  looked  at 
the  home  of  Washington,  wearing  the  national  colors, 
red,  white  and  blue!  After  this  he  became  abundant 
about  the  capital,  so  that  I  saw  him  often  and  took 
much  pleasure  in  his  frolicsome  ways." 

The  Red-heads  are  found  in  various  open  oak  woods 
north  of  the  city,  at  Mount  Pleasant,  about  Freed- 
men's  Hospital,  in  Glenwood  Cemetery,  and  often  on 
the  heights  above  Florida  Avenue;  but  they  are  wan- 
dering, irregular  birds  and  their  presence  in  any  par- 
ticular locality  cannot  be  depended  upon.  Out  in  the 
country  they  are  often  noticed  about  old  orchards. 

In  spring  they  are  the  noisiest  of  drummers  and 
also  have  a  loud,  rattling  call  which  proclaims  their 
presence,  but  in  nesting  time  they  are  very  quiet. 

The  hole  of  the  Red-head  is  often  in  a  half-dead 
tree,  rather  high  up,  and  the  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  laid  on 
the  fine  chips  left  by  the  bird  carpenters. 


RED-BELLIED   WOODPECKER.  125 

Pileated  Woodpecker;  Cock-of-the- Woods:  Ceoph- 
loeus  pileatus. 

Length  17  inches. 

General  color  dull  black. 

Head  and  pointed  crest  scarlet;  male  with  a  scarlet  line 
from  base  of  bill  back  to  neck. 

Some  yellowish-white  marks  about  the  head  and  on  the 
wings,  the  latter  shown  conspicuously  in  flight. 

A  rare  permanent  resident. 

The  Pileated  is  much  the  largest  of  our  Wood- 
peckers, and  is  so  rare  here  that  the  sight  of  him  is 
an  event  even  in  an  ornithologist's  calendar.  It  is 
said  he  was  once  common  all  over  this  country,  but 
he  is  by  nature  wild  and  wary,  keeping  to  heavy 
timber,  and  with  the  advance  of  civilization  has  with- 
drawn to  the  most  secluded  localities,  until  now  but 
few  places  can  boast  his  presence.  He  is  still  occa- 
sionally seen  near  Falls  Church. 

Look  for  him  in  the  tops  of  the  largest  trees,  and 
listen  for  the  hammering  of  a  giant,  so  loud  that  the 
tapping  of  an  ordinary  Woodpecker  seems  but  an 
echo  in  comparison.  The  hole  of  the  Pileated  will 
be  from  30  to  80  feet  above  the  ground. 

Red-bellied  Woodpecker:  Melanerpes  carolinus. 

Length  10  inches. 

Top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  light  scarlet;  back,  wings 
and  tail  regularly  barred  with  black  ?.nd  white. 

Under  parts  dull  white,  the  belly  more  or  less  tinged  with 
red. 

Female  with  top  of  head  ashy-gray. 

A  rare  permanent  resident. 

The  Red-bellied  is  a  southern  bird,  and  this  is 
about  the  northern  limit  of  his  range.  Perhaps  the 
only  place  in  the  District  where  he  may  be  looked  for 


126  RED-BELLIED    WOODPECKER. 

with  confidence  is  in  a  piece  of  thick,  wet  woods  where 
the  Fourteenth  Street  road  crosses  Piney  Branch;  but 
he  is  said  to  be  common  near  Laurel,  Maryland.  He 
cannot  be  mistaken  for  any  other  Woodpecker,  as  he 
is  the  only  one  we  have  here  that  is  barred  crosswise, 
evenly  and  distinctly.  The  red  on  the  belly  from 
which  he  gets  his  name  is  not  conspicuous.  He  gives 
a  loud  chuck  as  he  lights  against  a  tree-trunk,  which 
he  ascends  in  a  characteristic  jerky  fashion.  His  hole 
is  about  twenty  feet  from  the  ground. 


FLICKER. 


127 


FLICKER. 


Flicker;  Yellowhammer:   Colaptes  auratus. 

Length  12  inches. 

Upper  parts  yellowish-brown  barred  with  black,  a  scarlet 
band  across  the  back  of  the  neck. 

Under  parts  brownish-white,  spotted  with  black,  a  broad 
black  crescent  across  the  breast. 

Lining  of  wings  and  tail  golden  yellow.  Rump  white, 
shown  conspicuously  in  flight. 

A  common  summer  and  rare  winter  resident. 

The  Flicker  is  strikingly  handsome  and  easy  to 
identify.  If  he  faces  you  he  will  be  known  by  the 
black  crescent  across  his  spotted  breast,  and  when  he 


1 2  8  KINGFISHER . 

flies  before  you  the  large  white  spot  on  his  lower  back 
will  name  him.  He  is  a  vigorous,  dashing  bird,  and 
he  and  his  comrades  make  a  jolly  racket  in'the  woods 
with  their  drumming,  hammering  and  loud  cries.  His 
song,  wicka-wicka-wicka,  Audubon  calls  "  a  prolonged, 
jovial  laugh." 

Unlike  other  Woodpeckers,  the  Flicker  spends 
much  time  on  the  ground,  where  he  hunts  ants — his 
favorite  food.  Thrusting  his  long,  barbed,  sticky 
tongue  into  an  ant-hill,  he  draws  out  numbers  at  a 
time;  three  thousand  were  found  in  one  Flicker 
stomach. 

The  Flicker's  hole  is  in  a  dead  or  half-dead  tree, 
or  in  an  old  stump,  and  is  at  varying  heights  above 
the  ground — "  two  and  a  half  to  sixty  feet,  mostly 
between  ten  and  twenty  feet."  The  eggs  are  pure 
white,  and  have  a  lustre  as  if  enameled.  The  usual 
number  is  six  or  seven,  but  if  the  nest  is  robbed,  the 
bird  keeps  on  laying,  and  there  is  a  record  of  thirty- 
seven  eggs  having  been  taken  from  one  nest. 

Belted  Kingfisher:   Ceryle  alcyon. 

Length  13  inches. 

Upper  parts  and  high  crest  bluish-gray;  a  white  spot  be- 
fore the  eye. 

Under  parts  white,  a  bluish  band  across  the  breast. 
Female,  band  and  sides  brown  instead  of  blue. 
Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

The  Kingfisher  is  a  big  bird,  considerably  larger 
than  the  Robin,  with  a  conspicuous  crest  and  a  very 
long,  heavy  bill.  He  is  found  along  streams  wher- 
ever there  are  good  fishing  places,  and  is  frequently 
seen  from  Rock  Creek  bridge  in  the  Zoological  Park. 
He  stations  himself  on  a  branch  overhanging  the 


KINGFISHER. 


I29 


water  and  watches  until  a  fish  passes  below,  when 
down  he  plunges  after  him,  often  going  entirely  under, 
but  instantly  emerging  with  the  fish  in  his  bill.  Fly- 
ing to  a  perch  near  by  he  shakes  himself,  beats  the  fish 
against  a  branch  until  it  is  dead,  then  swallows  it 
whole. 

Each  pair  of  Kingfishers  is  said  to  have  its  own 
fishing  grounds  and  not  to  trespass  on  a  neighbor's 
preserves.  They  always  fish  up  stream  and  when  they 
come  to  the  end  of  their  route  make  a  wide  detour 
back  to  the  starting  place,  sweeping  in  with  the  loud, 
rattling  cry  which  is  their"  characteristic  call. 

The  nest  is  in  a  hole  in  a  high  bank  of  the  stream 
and  is  at  the  end  of  a  long  burrow,  five  or  six  feet 
from  the  entrance.  A  half  dozen  pure  white  eggs  are 
laid. 


1 3o 


YELLOW-BILLED   CUCKOO. 


YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO. 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo:   Coccyzus  americanus. 

Length  12  inches;    tail  half  the  length. 

Upper  parts  brownish-gray  with  a  greenish  gloss;  wings 
black,  washed  with  reddish-brown;  outer  tail-feathers  black 
with  white  patches.  Bill  yellow  at  base  and  on  lower  man- 
dible. 

Under  parts  white. 

Resident  (common)  from  May  2  to  October  15;  winters 
in  Central  and  South  America. 

We  have  two  Cuckoos,  the  Yellow-billed  and  the 
Black-billed,  much  alike  except  for  the  color  of  the 
bill.  The  Yellow-billed  is  the  common  species,  the 
other  being  quite  rare.  Although  a  large  bird  and 
rather  conspicuous  from  his  long  tail  with  its  white 
"  thumb-marks,"  he  keeps  so  closely  in  the  densest 
trees  and  is  so  noiseless  in  his  movements  that  we  sel- 
dom notice  him.  His  call,  however,  is  not  unfamiliar, 


BLACK-BILLED   CUCKOO.  131 

and  is  written  k-kuk,  k-J?uk,  k-kuk.  As  it  is  supposed 
to  be  a  sign  of  rain,  he  is  commonly  called  "  Rain- 
crow." 

A  Cuckoo  was  heard  in  Iowa  Circle  recently,  but 
that  was  unusual,  for  he  is  a  shy  bird  and  seldom  ven- 
tures into  the  city,  probably  only  when  the  trees  are 
full  of  caterpillars.  His  favorite  food  is  tent  cater- 
pillars, the  sort  that  make  their  ugly  nests  in  our  trees 
and  ruin  the  foliage,  and  he  is  therefore  extremely  use- 
ful. Mr.  Chapman  tells  of  shooting  a  Cuckoo  at  six 
o'clock  in  the  morning  which  had  forty-three  of  these 
caterpillars  in  his  stomach. 

"  Family  cares  rest  lightly  on  the  Cuckoo.  The  nest 
of  both  species  is  a  ram-shackle  affair — a  mere  bundle 
of  twigs  and  sticks  without  a  rim  to  keep  the  eggs 
from  rolling  from  the  bush,  where  they  rest,  to  the 
ground.  The  over- worked  mother-bird  often  lays  an 
egg  while  brooding  over  its  nearly  hatched  com- 
panion, and  the  two  or  three  half-grown  fledglings 
already  in  the  nest  may  roll  the  large  greenish  eggs 
out  upon  the  ground,  while  both  parents  are  off  hunt- 
ing for  food  to  quiet  their  noisy  clamorings."  (Neltje 
Blanchan.)  In  this  part  of  the  country  the  Cuckoo 
more  often  nests  in  trees  than  in  bushes. 

Black-billed  Cuckoo:   Coccyzus  erythrophthalmus. 

The  Black-billed  Cuckoo  is  much  like  the  Yellow- 
billed,  but  besides  the  different  bill  his  wings  have  no 
brown  on  them,  and  his  tail-feathers  are  but  slightly 
tipped  with  white.  The  voice  of  the  Black-billed  is 
softer  than  that  of  the  common  Cuckoo  and  his  notes 
are  more  connected.  The  nest  and  eggs  are  much  the 
same.  Resident  (rare)  from  May  2  to  October  15. 


OWLS. 

Owls  are  nocturnal  birds  of  prey,  and  at  twilight 
take  up  the  work  of  the  day-feeding  Hawks.  While 
they  ao  great  good  in  ridding  the  earth  of  mischiev- 
ous rodents,  it  must  be  said  that  they  are  destructive 
to  woodland  birds  and  other  harmless  creatures. 

The  plumage  of  Owls  is  so  soft  and  downy  that  it 
offers  but  slight  resistance  to  the  air  and  their  flight 
is  practically  noiseless.  They  catch  their  prey  in  their 
talons  and  small  victims  are  swallowed  whole,  the  in- 
digestible portions — bones,  hair  or  feathers — being 
afterwards  ejected  from  the  mouth  in  the  form  of  pel- 
lets. Numbers  of  these  pellets  will  be  found  about  the 
roosting  places  of  Owls. 

Owls'  eyes  are  in  front  instead  of  at  the  sides,  as  are 
those  of  other  birds,  and  they  are  fixed  so  that  the 
birds  cannot  roll  them,  but  must  always  move  the  head 
to  look  about;  curiously  enough,  they  have  the  power 
of  turning  the  head  entirely  around  from  front  to 
back.  In  the  Owl  family,  as  in  that  of  Hawks,  the 
females  are  larger  than  the  males. 

Several  of  our  Owls  may  be  seen  in  cages  at  the 
Zoo. 

American  Barn  Owl;    Monkey-faced  Owl:    Strix 
pralincola. 

Length  18  inches. 

Upper  parts  mixed  gray  and  yellow,  speckled  with  white 
and  black. 

Under  parts  varying  from  white  to  bright  tawny,  dotted 
with  small  round  black  spots. 

Face  triangular  in  shape.     Eyes  small  and  black. 

Resident  (not  rare)  all  the  year. 

While  most  Owls  inhabit  woods,  the  Barn  Owl  lives 
in  barns,  church-belfries  and  similar  places.  In  the 


LONG-EARED  OWL. 


133 


towers  of  the  Smithsonian,  and  also  in  the  Jail  towers, 
he  makes  his  home  and  rears  his  young.  His  food  is 
largely  rats  and  mice,  sometimes  birds,  all  of  which,  if 
small  enough,  he  swallows  whole,  as  is  the  custom  of 
Owls. 

The  nest  is  composed  of  any  convenient  rubbish, 
together  with  a  few  feathers.  The  eggs,  5  to  9,  are 
white,  and  somewhat  pointed. 

American  Long-eared  Owl:  Asio  wilsonianus. 

Length  15  inches. 

Upper  parts  mottled,  gray,  tawny  and  blackish. 
Under  parts  grayish-white  indistinctly  barred  with  brown, 
black  and  tawny. 

Face  bright  buff,  bordered  narrowly  with  black. 
Long,  conspicuous  ear-tufts.     Eyes  yellow. 
Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

"  The  Long-eared  Owl  is  one  of  our  most  beneficial 
species,  destroying  vast  numbers  of  injurious  rodents 
and  seldom  touching  insectivorous  birds."  (Fisher.) 
This  Owl  never  hunts  during  the  day,  but  keeps 
closely  in  thick  evergreen  woods -or  swampy  thickets. 
It  seldom  builds  a  new  nest,  but  remodels  an  old  one 
of  a  Crow  or  Hawk.  Five  eggs  are  usually  laid. 


134 


BARRED   OWL. 


I 


BARRED  OWL  (SYRNIUM  NEBULOSUM). 


Barred  Owl;   Hoot  Owl:  Syrnium  nebulosum. 

Length  20  inches. 

No  ear-tufts.  Eyes  large  and  black.  General  color  dark 
brown  and  buffy-white,  barred  crosswise  all  over  except  on 
the  belly,  which  is  striped. 

Resident  (not  uncommon)  all  the  year. 

This  is  the  Hoot  Owl,  whose  nocturnal  cry  is  so 
startling  to  the  unaccustomed  ear.  "  Who,  who,  zvho 


SCREECH  OWL.  135 

pesterin'  we  all?"  Uncle  Remus  gives  it,  and  it  is 
heard  at  a  long  distance. 

This  large  Owl  must  be  a  terror  to  the  smaller 
inhabitants  of  the  woods,  for  it  eats  rabbits,  squirrels, 
shrews  and  moles,  as  well  as  mice.  It  sometimes 
takes  poultry,  but  not  often,  and  is  considered  on  the 
whole  beneficial.  It  spends  the  day  sleeping  in  thick, 
dark  woods,  rarely  hunting  except  at  twilight. 

The  Hoot  Owl  nests  in  a  hollow  tree  and  occupies 
the  same  place  year  after  year.  Only  two  or  three 
eggs  are  usually  laid;  these  are  more  than  two  inches 

long. 

/ 

Screech  Owl:  Megascops  asio. 

Length  7  to  10  inches. 

Our  only  small  Owl  with  conspicuous  ear-tufts. 
Upper  parts  reddish-brown  or  sometimes  gray. 
Under  parts  paler,  mottled  and  streaked  with  black. 
Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

Screech  Owls  are  very  common  and  so  useful  that 
Dr.  Fisher  says  "  Whoever  destroys  them  through 
ignorance  or  prejudice  should  be  severely  con- 
demned." The  wailing  cry  of  the  Screech  Owl  is  an 
uncanny  sound  at  night,  and  makes  the  listener  glad 
of  human  companionship. 

These  Owls  nest  rather  low  in  hollow  trees.  Old 
orchards  are  favorite  places,  and  they  keep  the  same 
home  for  years.  They  hunt  in  the  daytime  as  well  as 
at  night. 

The  plumage  of  the  Screech  Owl  is  sometimes  red- 
dish-brown and  sometimes  gray,  "  two  totally  distinct 
phases,  having  no  relation  to  sex,  age  or  season." 


136  GREAT  HORNED  OWL. 

Great  Horned  Owl:  Bubo  virginianus. 

Length  about  2  feet. 

Large,  conspicuous  ear-tufts.     Eyes  large  and  yellow. 
Upper  parts  mottled,  black,  brown,  and  gray;    wings  and 
tail  barred;    white  band  on  the  throat. 
Under  parts  buff,  barred  with  black. 
Resident  (rare)  all  the  year. 

The  Great  Horned  Owl  is  fortunately  rare  in  this 
vicinity.  Dr.  Fisher  calls  him  "  a  tiger  among  birds," 
and  says  that,  besides  eating  all  kinds  of  poultry,  birds 
and  rabbits,  he  takes  Hawks,  Crows  and  even  other 
Owls.  His  loud,  deep  notes  are  all  on  one  tone,  who, 
who,  who,  and  at  a  distance  are  said  to  resemble  the 
barking  of  a  dog. 

These  Owls  do  not  often  build,  but  fix  up  an  old 
nest  of  Crow,  Hawk  or  Squirrel,  more  often  in  ever- 
greens than  in  deciduous  trees,  and  usually  near  the 
top.  The  eggs,  two  in  number,  are  laid  early  in  Feb- 
ruary. 


HAWKS. 

The  first  thing  to  learn  about  these  birds  is  that 
there  are  good  Hawks  and  bad  Hawks.  We  have  six 
species  resident  in  this  vicinity,  only  two  of  which 
are  harmful;  the  others  are  among  the  farmers'  best 
friends.  The  shooting  of  a  good  Hawk  always  results 
in  a  distinct  loss  to  the  farmer  of  such  products  as  are 
destroyed  by  field  mice,  rats  and  rabbits.  In  some 
agricultural  districts,  where  there  has  been  ignorant 
and  indiscriminate  shooting  of  all  Hawks,  there  has 
frequently  followed  a  field-mouse  plague,  which  has 
done  incalculable  damage. 

It  is  not  so  difficult  as  one  might  suppose  to  dis- 
tinguish between  injurious  Hawks  and  those  that  are 
beneficial.  The  two  harmful  species,  Cooper's  and  the 
Sharp-shinned,  have  long  tails  and  slender  bodies; 
while  the  good  Hawks, — the  Red-shouldered,  Red- 
tailed,  Broad-winged  and  Sparrow  Hawk — are  rather 
stocky,  with  short  tails.  The  different  habits  of  the 
two  kinds  are  even  more  distinguishing  than  their  ap- 
pearance. The  Poultry  Hawk  conceals  himself  in  a 
clump  of  evergreens  or  dense  shrubbery  near  farm 
buildings,  from  which  he  darts  out  among  the  poultry, 
seizes  a  chicken  and  is  off,  perhaps  without  being  seen 
or  heard. 

Chicken  Hazvks  seldom  soar  in  the  open  as  do  the 
mouse-hunting  Hawks.  Useful  species  often  suffer 
for  the  sins  of  the  chicken  thieves,  for  if  a  farrner 
misses  poultry  and  observes  a  Hawk  soaring  over  his 
meadows,  he  at  once  concludes  that  he  sees  the  mis- 
creant and  gets  his  gun,  when  the  real  culprit  is  prob- 
ably concealed  in  the  nearest  thicket,  digesting  his 
last  meal. 


138  SHARP-SHINNED  HAWK. 

When  either  a  Cooper's  or  a  Sharp-shinned  Hawk 
finds  a  poultry  yard  easy  of  access  he  generally  con- 
tinues his  visits  until  all  the  chickens  are  gone  or  he 
is  killed.  On  one  farm  sixty  chickens  were  taken  and 
a  large  number  of  useful  Hawks  were  unfortunately 
shot  before  the  thief — a  Cooper's — was  discovered. 

Notice  the  size  of  the  different  Hawks.  Cooper's 
is  sixteen  inches  long,  the  same  as  the  Broad-winged, 
and  the  Sharp-shinned  is  eleven  inches,  about  the 
same  as  the  useful  little  Sparrow  Hawk.  The  other 
good  species,  the  Red-tailed  and  Red-shouldered,  are 
larger,  the  former  being  a  foot  and  a  half  and  the  latter 
two  feet  long. 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk:  Accipiter  velox. 

Length  u  inches. 

Upper  parts  slaty-gray,  with  a  few  white  spots;  tail  lighter, 
with  dark  band  and  tipped  with  whitish. 

Under  parts  white,  barred  with  light  brown,  the  throat 
with  dark  streaks.  The  young  are  dark  brown  and  rusty 
above,  and  streaked  instead  of  barred  beneath. 

Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

The  food  of  the  Sharp-shinned  consists  almost  en- 
tirely of  young  poultry  and  small  birds,  and  Dr.  A.  K. 
Fisher  of  the  Biological  Survey,  the  authority  on 
Hawks  and  Owls,  says  there  is  little  in  its  favor  ex- 
cept its  fondness  for  the  English  Sparrow,  and  that 
it  "  is  gradually  learning  that  there  is  a  never-failing 
supply  of  food  for  it  in  the  larger  towns  and  cities." 
He  has  seen  it  chasing  Sparrows  in  the  Washington 
parks. 

The  Sharp-shinned  nests  later  than  other  Hawks 
and  usually  builds  in  a  thick  evergreen  tree  about 
twenty  feet  from  the  ground.  The  eggs,  4  to  5,  are 
heavily  spotted  and  blotched. 


COOPER'S  HAWK. 


139 


COOPER'S  HAWK  (ACCIPITER  COOPERII). 


1 40  CO  OPER  S  HA  WK. 

Cooper's  Hawk:  Accipiter  cooperii. 

This  little  Hawk  is  like  the  Sharp-shinned,  but  larger, 
being  16  inches  long. 

Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

"  Chicken  Hawk  "  is  a  common  and  fitting  name  for 
Cooper's.  He  takes  larger  poultry  than  the  Sharp- 
shinned  and  is  especially  fond  of  tame  pigeons,  as  well 
as  all  kinds  of  wild  birds.  Meadowlarks,  Robins  and 
Flickers  are  mentioned  as  frequent  victims.  He  also 
eats  English  Sparrows. 

The  nest  is  usually  in  the  top  of  a  tree,  either  ever- 
green or  deciduous,  and  looks  like  a  Crow's  nest.  The 
eggs,  4  to  5,  are  bluish-white,  sometimes  lightly 
spotted  with  brown. 


RED-TAILED  HAWK. 


141 


n 


I 


RED-TAILED  HAWK  (BuTEO  BOREALisl 


1 4  2  RED-SHO  ULDERED  HA  WK. 

Red-tailed  Hawk:  Buteo  borealis. 

Length  about  2  feet. 

Upper  parts  very  dark  brown  marked  with  reddish-brown 
and  whitish;  tail  in  adults  rusty  red  with  black  band  near 
the  end,  and  white  tip. 

Under  parts  white  tinged  with  buffy;  belly  streaked  with 
brown. 

Common  in  winter,  rare  in  summer. 

The  Red-tailed  is  the  Hawk  most  frequently  seen 
in  winter  circling  high  over  open  ground.  He  eats 
mice,  rats  and  other  small  mammals.  Dr.  Fisher 
says  that  on  the  new  land  of  the  Potomac  flats  a  rank 
vegetation  has  grown  up  which  gives  shelter  and  sus- 
tenance to  hordes  of  mice,  and  "  in  winter  and  early 
spring  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  ten  or  fifteen  Red- 
tailed  Hawks  in  different  parts  of  this  flat  attracted 
hither  by  the  abundance  of  their  natural  food."  In 
migration  he  has  seen  a  flock  of  sixty-five  Red-tails 
passing  southward  in  large  sweeping  circles.  He  also 
says  that  when  taken  young  this  Hawk  soon  becomes 
reconciled  to  captivity  and  makes  a  gentle  and  inter- 
esting pet.  The  nest  is  generally  in  a  high  tree  from 
forty  to  seventy  feet  up.  The  eggs,  2  to  4,  are  dull 
white  lightly  marked  with  brown. 

Red-shouldered  Hawk:  Buteo  lineatus. 

Length  about  18  inches. 

Upper   parts   dark   brown   with    a   reddish    cast;     shoulders 
rusty  red;    tail  black,  with  white  bars  and  a  white  tip. 
Under  parts  reddish-brown  barred  with  white. 
Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

The  Red-shouldered  Hawk  receives  only  praise 
from  those  who  know  its  habits.  Sixty-five  per  cent 
of  its  food  is  mice,  and  the  rest  various  small  mam- 
mals, frogs,  fish  and  insects.  Dr.  Fisher  says  that  in 


BROAD-WINGED  HAWK.  143 

all  his  experience  he  has  never  seen  it  attack  a  fowl 
nor  has  he  found  the  remains  of  one  in  the  stomachs 
examined.  He  writes:  "This  Hawk,  like  most  other 
birds  of  prey,  makes  a  very  interesting  pet,  and  on 
account  of  its  varied  food  is  easy  to  keep.  Appar- 
ently it  is  less  shy  than  the  Red-tail,  nevertheless  under 
ordinary  circumstances  it  will  not  allow  a  man  on  foot 
to  approach  within  gunshot.  Like  other  Hawks,  it 
shows  no  fear  for  one  on  horse-back  or  in  a  wagon, 
and  in  this  way  can  be  easily  approached.  Bottom 
lands  grown  up  with  large  deciduous  trees,  or  the 
neighboring  hill-sides,  are  the  favorite  nesting-sites  of 
this  bird.  The  nest  is  placed  in  one  of  the  large 
trees,  forty  to  eighty  feet  from  the  ground,  and  usually 
in  the  fork  where  the  main  branches  diverge  from  the 
trunk.  A  pair  will  inhabit  the  same  locality  for  years 
and  often  occupy  a  nest  for  several  seasons." 

Broad-winged  Hawk:  Buteo  latissimus. 

Length  16  inches. 

Upper  parts  dark  brown,  darker  on  the  back;  tail  blackish 
with  broad  bands  of  gray  or  brownish-white. 

Under  parts  reddish-brown,  broken  by  white  transverse 
spotting. 

The  food  of  this  Hawk  consists  principally  of  in- 
sects, small  mammals,  reptiles  and  batrachians,  and 
occasionally  of  young  or  disabled  birds. 

"  During  the  summer  the  Broad-winged  Hawk 
often  may  be  seen  sitting  for  hours  on  the  dead  top 
of  some  high  tree.  At  other  times  it  is  found  on  the 
smaller  trees  in  the  deep  woods,  along  streams,  or  on 
the  ground,  where  its  food  is  more  often  procured. 
Although  sluggish  and  unusually  heavy  in  its  flight, 
it  is  capable  of  rapid  motion  and  sometimes  soars  high 


1 44  SPA  RROW  HA  WK. 

in  the  air.     One  of  its  notes  resembles  quite  closely 
that  of  the  Wood  Pewee."     (Fisher.) 

The  Broad-winged  nests  late  for  a  Hawk,  generally 
about  the  middle  of  May.  The  nest  is  like  that  of  the 
Crow,  but  larger,  and  two  or  three  eggs  are  laid. 
The  male  is  said  to  assist  in  incubating  the  eggs  as 
well  as  in  bringing  up  the  young. 

Sparrow  Hawk:  Falco  sparverius. 

Length  10  inches. 

Male,  upper  parts  bright  reddish-brown  generally  barred 
with  black,  the  tail  bordered  with  a  broad  black  band  and 
tipped  with  white;  forehead  gray,  irregular  black  stripes 
on  the  side  of  the  head;  wings  grayish-blue  with  black 
markings.  Under  parts  generally  buffy  or  pale  reddish- 
brown,  with  or  without  black  markings. 

Female,  under  parts  streaked  with  brown.  The  wings  are 
brown  barred  with  dusky,  and  the  tail  is  narrowly  barred  with 
dusky. 

Common  in  winter,  rare  in  summer. 

The  handsome  Sparrow  Hawk  is  the  smallest  of  his 
family,  being  about  the  size  of  a  Robin.  His  hooked 
bill  and  high  shoulders  proclaim  him  a  Hawk,  and  the 
gray  forehead  and  distinct  black  markings  on  the  side 
of  the  head  identify  him.  He  is  supposed  to  eat  small 
birds,  hence  his  name,  but  rarely  have  any  been  found 
in  the  great  number  of  stomachs  examined  at  the 
Biological  Survey,  except  in  winter,  and  then  only 
when  other  food  could  not  be  obtained.  He  is  a  great 
destroyer  of  meadow-mice  and  injurious  insects, 
especially  grasshoppers  and  crickets,  so  he  should  be 
protected. 

The  nest,  unlike  that  of  other  Hawks,  is  in  a  hole 
in  a  tree,  either  in  a  natural  cavity  or  an  old  Wood- 
pecker's hole. 


SPARRO  W  HA  WK. 


145 


The  eggs,  5  to  7,  are  finely  and  evenly  marked. 
Sparrow  Hawks  are  more  common  here  in  winter 
than  in  summer.  They  have  been  suspected  of  nest- 
ing in  the  Smithsonian  towers. 


SPARROW  HAWK  (FALCO  SPARVERIUS). 


146  FISH  HAWK. 

Marsh  Hawk;  Harrier:   Circus  hudsonius. 

Length  19  inches. 

Male,  general  color  ashy-gray;  under  parts  white,  finely 
marked  with  rusty;  rump  while  in  both  sexes,  shown  con- 
spicuously in  flight. 

Female,  general  color  rusty  brown. 

July  to  April.     Common. 

The  Marsh  Hawk  will  be  seen  beating  low  over 
marshes  or  meadows  in  search  of  mice  and  insects. 
It  is  not  known  to  breed  in  this  vicinity,  but  is  so 
common  the  greater  part  of  the  year  that  it  is  thought 
best  to  distinguish  it  as  a  good  Hawk.  Doctor  Fisher 
writes:  "Its  presence  and  increase  should  be  en- 
couraged in  every  way  possible,  not  only  by  protect- 
ing it  by  law,  but  by  disseminating  a  knowledge  of  the 
benefits  it  confers.  It  is  probably  the  most  active  and 
determined  foe  of  meadow  mice  and  ground  squirrels, 
destroying  greater  numbers  of  these  pests  than  any 
other  species,  and  this  fact  alone  should  entitle  it  to 
protection,  even  if  it  destroyed  no  other  injurious 
animals." 

The  nest  is  on  the  ground  in  marshes.  Eggs,  4  to 
6,  are  dull  white,  unmarked. 


Fish  Hawk;  American  Osprey:  Pandion  haliaetus 
carolinensis. 

Length  about  2  feet. 

Upper  parts  dark  brown;   tail  banded. 

Head  and  under  parts  white,  sometimes  spotted. 

Resident  (uncommon)  from  March  25  to  October. 

"  We  do  not  know  of  any  nests  within  the  District, 
but  have  seen  them  lower  down  the  river;  the  species 
properly  belongs  to  the  category  of  summer  residents. 
It  is  often  seen  sailing  over  the  Potomac  and  Ana- 


BALD  EAGLE.  147 

costia  Rivers,  or  perched  upon  the  branches  of  dead 
trees  overhanging  their  banks.  Its  migrations  corre- 
spond to  some  extent  with  those  of  the  fish  upon 
which  it  feeds;  and  it  consequently  appears  in  spring 
about  the  time  the  fishing  season  begins."  (Avifauna 
Columbiana.) 

The  note  of  the  Fish  Hawk  is  said  to  be  a  high, 
rapidly  repeated,  plaintive  whistle. 

Bald  Eagle:  Haliteetus  leucocephalus. 

Length  about  3  feet. 

Adults,  head,  neck  and  tail  white;  rest  of  the  plumage 
dark  brown.  Bill  and  feet  yellow. 

The  plumage  of  the  first-year  birds  is  a  uniform  dark 
brown,  almost  black,  with  no  white  perceptible,  while  that 
of  the  second-year  birds  is  a  lighter  color  and  begins  to 
show  white  on  head  and  tail. 

Resident  (not  common)  all  the  year. 

Our  national  bird  very  appropriately  makes  his 
home  at  Mount  Vernon,  where  one  pair  have  lived 
for  many  years.  He  is  also  found  at  Great  Falls,  and 
in  both  localities  may  be  seen  soaring  high  over  the 
Potomac  with  characteristic  dignity  and  grace.  He 
lives  almost  entirely  on  fish,  and,  it  is  said,  often  makes 
the  Fish  Hawk  give  up  his  prey. 

The  nest  is  generally  in  the  top  of  a  tall  tree  and  is 
very  large — a  platform  of  sticks,  often  six  feet  across 
and  three  or  four  feet  in  depth;  it  is  lined  with  coarse 
marsh  grass.  Two  large  white  eggs  are  laid. 


1 48  MOURNING  DOVE. 

Buzzard;  Turkey  Vulture:    Cathartes  aura. 

Length  2^  feet. 

Plumage,  blackish  edged  with  gray. 

Head  and  neck  without  feathers,  the  skin  bright  red;  bill 
white.     Young  with  head  and  bill  blackish. 
Resident  (abundant)  all  the  year. 

Buzzards  are  valuable  scavengers,  and  by  their 
prompt  disposition  of  all  carrion,  keep  the  woods  and 
fields  clean.  Their  scientific  name,  cathartcs,  means 
"  purifier."  They  are  protected  by  law,  a  fine  being 
imposed  for  killing  one. 

Numbers  of  these  great  Vultures  will  sometimes  be 
seen  perched  on  a  fence  in  the  vicinity  of  their  latest 
meal,  grotesque  and  unattractive;  but  when  they 
mount  into  the  air,  and  far  above  the  earth  circle 
about  for  hours  at  a  time  with  the  utmost  ease  and 
grace,  they  command  our  admiration.  Their  sight 
and  sense  of  smell  are  wonderfully  acute,  and  they 
patrol  a  large  territory. 

Buzzards  do  not  build  nests,  but  the  eggs  are  laid 
on  the  ground,  often  under  a  pile  of  rails  or  brush,  or 
in  a  hollow  stump.  When  the  nest  is  disturbed,  the 
old  bird  makes  a  blowing  sound  like  escaping  steam. 
Two  large  eggs  are  laid,  much  blotched  and  speckled. 


Mourning  Dove;  Turtle  Dove:  Zenaidiiramacroitra. 

Length  12  inches. 

General    color    dark    fawn;    sides    of   the    neck    iridescent; 
a  dark  spot  on  the  side  of  the  head. 

Tail  bordered  with  black  and  tipped  with  white. 

Under  parts  pinkish. 

Resident  all  the  year,  common  in  summer. 

The  mournful,  monotonous  coo-ah,  coo-ah,  coo  of  the 
Turtle  Dove  is  not  the  most  cheerful  of  rural  sounds, 


BOB-WHITE.  149 

but  he  is  such  a  dainty,  pretty  creature  that  we  are 
always  glad  to  have  one  come  whirring  oiir  way,  or 
to  see  a  pair  fly  up  before  us  in  a  woodsy  road. 

They  build  in  a  variety  of  places — on  the  ground, 
in  a  bush,  on  a  stump,  or  on  the  lower  branch  of  a 
tree.  They  use  a  few  dry  twigs  and  rootlets  which 
they  put  together  so  loosely  as  to  justify  the  observa- 
tion of  a  Maryland  Uncle  Remus  that  "  dey  builds 
mighty  triflin'  nesses."  Two  pure  white  eggs  are  laid. 
Langille  says  "  The  young  doves  are  well  matured  be-. 
fore  they  leave  the  nest,  and  sit  side  by  side  upon  the 
ordinarily  rude  affair.  At  night  the  old  one  sits  cross- 
wise upon  them,  even  when  they  are  quite  large,  the 
nest  and  birds  together  making  a  grotesque  pile." 
Outside  of  nesting  season  these  doves  gather  in  flocks 
and  visit  grain  and  corn-fields. 

Bob- white;   Quail;   Partridge:   Colinus  virginianus. 

Length  10  inches. 

General  color  chestnut-brown,  marked  with  black,  gray, 
and  yellowish-brown;  throat,  and  a  broad  line  over  the  eye 
white;  a  black  patch  on  the  upper  breast. 

Female  is  buff  where  male  is  white. 

Resident  (common)  all  the  year. 

How  familiar  and  pleasant  is  the  clear,  musical 
whistle  of  the  Bob-white!  When  you  hear  it  floating 
over  the  fields,  let  your  glass  sweep  all  the  fence-stakes 
in  the  direction  of  the  sound,  and  on  the  top  of  one 
you  will  almost  surely  discover  the  handsome  "  game- 
bird."  He  is  so  shy  and  gentle  that  we  always 
ardently  hope  he  may  escape  the  merciless  dog  and 
gun  which  we  know  will  soon  be  after  him  and  his 
pretty  flock. 

Quail  know  well  the  value  of  their  protective  color- 
ing, and  when  surprised  they  keep  to  the  ground, 


150  RUFFED  GROUSE. 

scattering  in  every  direction,  and  then  are  so  still  that 
they  can  scarcely  be  seen  even  when  the  eye  rests  on 
them.  If  forced  to  take  wing,  they  rise  with  a  loud 
whirr  that  is  startling  to  one  who  does  not  know  what 
to  expect.  When  all  danger  is  past,  soft,  sweet  call- 
notes  bring  them  together  again. 

The  nest  is  on  the  ground  in  grassy  fields,  and  the 
eggs  (usually  10  to  15,  although  Mr.  Ridgway  once 
found  26)  are  pure  -white.  As  soon  as  the  downy 
young  are  out  of  the  shell,  they  run  about  and  are 
marvelously  quick.  Quail  are  extremely  useful  to 
agriculturists,  eating  potato-bugs  and  the  moths  that 
produce  cut-worms. 


Ruffed  Grouse:  Bonasa  umbellus. 

Length  about  18  inches. 

General  color  reddish-brown,  variegated  with  black,  buff, 
gray,  and  white. 

Under  parts  whitish,  barred  with  brown. 

A  broad  black  band  at  the  end  of  the  tail  which  is  tipped 
with  gray. 

A  large  loose  tuft  of  glossy  black  feathers  on  each  side  of 
the  neck,  like  a  ruff. 

Resident  all  the  year,  but  very  uncommon. 

Mr.  Rowland  Robinson  writes:  "The  wild  turkey 
is  passing  away,  and  it  is  a  question  of  but  few  years 
when  he  shall  have  departed  forever.  In  some  locali- 
ties the  next  noblest  of  our  game  birds,  the  ruffed 
grouse,  has  become  almost  a  thing  of  the  past,  and  in 
some  years  is  everywhere  so  scarce  that  there  are  sad 
forebodings  of  his  complete  disappearance  from -the 
rugged  hills  of  which  he  seems  as  much  a  belonging 
as  the  lichened  rocks,  the  arbutus  and  the  windswept 
evergreens." 


AMERICAN  WO OD  CO  CK.  151 

The  Ruffed  Grouse  likes  the  wildest,  thickest  woods, 
preferably  those  which  have  never  been  disturbed  by 
man.  He  may  still  be  found  in  some  places  in  Vir- 
ginia, rarely  at  Falls  Church. 

Wild  Turkey:  Meleagris  gallopavo. 

The  Wild  Turkey  resembles  the  domestic  fowl,  but 
is  more  brilliant  in  color  and  his  tail  and  its  coverts  are 
tipped  with  chestnut-red  instead  of  white. 

The  nest  is  on  the  ground,  generally  under  a  bush. 

Resident  (rare)  all  the  year. 

American  Woodcock:  Philohela  minor. 

Length  n  inches. 

Upper  parts  mixed  black,  brown,  tawny,  and  gray. 

Under  parts  reddish  brown  of  different  shades;  a  white 
patch  on  the  throat. 

Very  long  bill,  and  short,  round  tail. 

Resident  (rather  common)  from  February  to  November; 
a  few  winter. 

Woodcock  will  be  found  in  damp  woods  or  thickets 
near  the  Potomac  or  Anacostia  swamps.  They  keep 
secluded  during  the  day  and  go  out  towards  evening 
to  bore  for  worms.  If,  in  the  late  afternoon,  you 
come  across  a  group  of  small  round  holes  freshly  bored 
in  the  mud  you  may  know  that  Woodcock  are  near. 
They  are  exceedingly  shy  birds  and  only  by  keeping 
yourself  unseen  and  unheard  may  you  perhaps  "  catch 
the  beam  of  that  dark  liquid  eye  that  has  no  equal  on 
earth,"  or  witness  the  famous  aerial  dance. 

The  nest  is  on  the  ground,  generally  in  the  woods, 
but  sometimes  in  a  corn-field.  Four  buffy,  speckled 
eggs  are  laid  in  a  depression  in  the  earth,  with  only  a 
few  leaves  under  them.  When  the  bird  is  sitting  she 
looks  so  like  dead  leaves  herself  that  it  is  hard  to  see 
her. 


152  KILLDEER. 

Spotted  Sandpiper;  Tilt-up:  Actitis  macularia. 

Length  7^  inches. 

Olive-brown  above,  white  below,  spotted  all  over  with  round 
black  spots.  Young  without  spots  below. 

Very  long  legs  and  long  bill. 

Resident  (uncommon)  from  April  5  to  September  3;  more 
abundant  in  winter. 

This  pretty  little  Sandpiper  will  be  known  by  his 
distinctly  spotted  plumage,  and  also  by  the  peculiar 
tilting  of  his  body  when  on  the  ground.  When  flying 
he  often  sails  for  a  short  distance  and  then  his  long, 
narrow  wings  show  a  white  band.  He  calls  peet  zvcet 
as  he  flies. 

He  is  likely  to  be  found  anywhere  along  streams, 
and  is  commonly  seen  by  Rock  Creek  in  the  Zoologi- 
cal Park. 

The  nest  is  on  the  ground,  frequently  in  planted 
fields  near  water.  The  eggs,  4,  are  buff,  much  spotted 
and  speckled  with  brown. 


Killdeer:  ALgialitis  vocifera. 

Length  10^  inches. 

Upper  parts  grayish-brown  and  rusty;  forehead,  throat, 
collar  and  wing-patches  white. 

Upper  tail  bright  orange-brown;  tail-feathers  tipped  with 
black  and  white. 

Under  parts  white,  two  black  bands  across  the  breast. 
Long  yellowish  legs. 

Resident  all  the  year;    abundant  only  in  migration. 

Killdeer  are  usually  seen  in  small  flocks  in  ploughed 
or  grassy  fields.  They  have  a  characteristic  way  of 
running  rapidly  over  the  ground  hunting  worms  and 
grasshoppers,  and  when  startled  take  wing  with  a  shrill 
cry  of  kildee,  or  dee,  dee.  This  cry  is  unmistakable 
and  as  distinguishing  as  their  peculiar  markings. 


G  RE  EN  HER  ON.  153 

Killdeer  are  found  most  commonly  in  the  vicinity 
of  water.  While  few  nest  in  the  District  of  Columbia, 
they  are  not  uncommon  in  Montgomery  County, 
Maryland,  and  are  said  to  breed  abundantly  about 
Gainesville  and  Manassas  in  Virginia.  The  nest  is 
in  the  grass  and  the  four  blotched  eggs  are  pear- 
shaped. 

ifc     «      *     4 

King  Rail:  Rallus  elegans. 

Length  15  inches. 

Upper  parts  blackish,  the  feathers  edged  with  olive-gray; 
chin  white  and  some  white  on  wings. 

Neck  and  breast  bright  chestnut;  belly  and  sides  dark 
brown  barred  with  white. 

The  downy  young  are  black. 

An  uncommon  summer  resident;    may  occur  in  winter. 

The  King  Rail  is  also  called  Fresh-water  Marsh- 
hen,  which  name  indicates  his  haunts.  All  Rails  are 
timid  and  hide  in  heavy  grass,  only  flying  when  forced. 

The  nest  is  on  the  ground  in  a  tussock  of  grass. 
The  eggs,  7  to  12,  are  buffy,  much  speckled  with 
brown. 


Green  Heron;   Fly-up-the-Creek:  Ardea  virescens. 

Length  18  inches. 

Upper  parts  and  low  crest  bright  glossy  green;  long  neck, 
bright  chestnut. 

Lower  parts  grayish. 

Resident  (common)  from  April  15  to  September;  winters 
from  Florida  southward. 

Herons  are  quaint,  foreign-looking  birds  with  their 
long  necks  and  low  plumy  crests.  The  Green  Heron 
is  'likely  to  be  found  in  any  damp  woods  near  water. 
Its  nest  is  in  trees  or  bushes,  and  is  only  a  platform 


1 54  LEAST  BITTERN. 

of  twigs  and  sticks.  Before  the  young  are  large 
enough  to  fly,  they  creep  about  in  the  tree-tops  or  sit 
in  a  row  on  a  branch  waiting  to  be  fea.  The  eggs, 
3  to  6,  are  dull  greenish-blue. 

Great  Blue  Heron:  Ardea  herodias. 

Length  about  4  feet. 

Upper  parts  bluish-gray;  long  neck  pale  brownish-gray, 
streaked  with  black  spots  down  the  front. 

Low  crest  black,  except  middle  feathers,  which  are  white. 

This  splendid  Heron  is  more  or  less  common  all  the 
year,  and  is  supposed  to  breed  in  this  vicinity,  but  is 
not  positively  known  to  do  so.  He  wanders  about  in 
the  water,  hunting  fish  and  frogs,  and  is  said  to  eat 
mice  and  snakes  also.  He  hunts  at  night  as  well  as 
by  day.  These  Herons  nest  and  roost  in  trees,  gen- 
erally in  colonies.  The  nest  is  a  platform  of  sticks, 
and  the  eggs,  3  to  4,  are  dull  blue. 

Least  Bittern:  Ardetta  exilis. 

Length  13  inches. 

Male,  head  and  neck  glossy  black;  back  of  neck  chestnut- 
red. 

Under  parts  buffy. 

Female,  head  and  back  brownish;  under  parts  darker  than 
in  male  and  streaked  with  brown. 

Resident  (not  common)  May  5  to  September  25. 

This  is  the  smallest  of  the  Herons  and  is  exceedingly 
shy  and  retiring,  keeping  in  the  thickest  reeds  and 
grasses  of  the  marshes.  He  seldom  flies  unless  alarmed 
and  then  only  a  few  yards.  He  feeds  mostly  at  night 
and  is  not  likely  to  be  seen  before  sunset. 

The  nest  is  on  the  ground  in  thick  rushes  or  in  a 
low  bush.  The  eggs,  3  to  6,  are  bluish-white. 


WOOD  DUCK.  155 

Black-crowned  Night  Heron;   "Quawk":  Nyctico- 
rax  nycticorax  ncevius. 

Length  about  2  feet. 

Crown  and  upper  back  glossy  greenish-black;  lower  back, 
wings  and  short  tail,  ashy-gray. 

Under  parts  white,  often  tinged  with  yellowish  or  lilac. 

Long  bill,  black.  The  adults  frequently  have  three  long 
white  plumes  on  the  head. 

Not  uncommon  in  summer;  occasional  in  winter. 

The  Black-crowned  Herons  live  in  colonies,  build- 
ing in  the  tops  of  small  pines.  They  are  generally 
found  on  the  road  to  Falls  Church.  The  nests  are 
built  of  sticks  and  the  eggs,  4  to  5,  are  dull  blue. 

These  Herons  keep  quiet  during  the  day,  only  going 
out  after  sunset,  unless  they  have  young  birds  to  feed. 
As  they  fly  they  call  quawk,  from  which  they  get  their 
common  name. 

Wood  Duck:  Aix  sponsa. 

Length  18  inches. 

Greenish  crest;  white  markings  on  sides  of  head;  back 
greenish-brown;  neck  and  upper  breast  bright  chestnut, 
with  fine  white  spots.  Lower  parts  white,  the  sides  barred 
with  black. 

Female,  head  brownish;  breast  and  sides  grayish-brown 
streaked  with  buffy. 

Resident  (uncommon)  all  the  year. 

The  beautiful  Wood  Duck  is  less  rare  in  spring  and 
fall  than  the  rest  of  the  year,  and  may  be  found  by 
streams  and  ponds  where  they  are  bordered  with 
woods. 

The  nest  is  in  a  hole  in  a  tree  or  stump.  The  eggs, 
8  to  14,  are  buffy  white.  It  is  said  the  downy  young 
are  carried  from  the  nest  to  the  ground  in  the  bill 
of  the  parent. 


MIGRATION. 

There  are  two  annual  migrations  of  birds,  one  in 
autumn  and  one  in  spring.  On  the  approach  of  cold 
weather  most  insect-eating  birds  go  south  and  remain 
through  the  winter,  returning  in  spring  as  soon  as 
their  food  is  assured.  The  birds  that  do  not  migrate 
live  on  flesh,  buds  of  trees,  wild  berries,  and  the  seeds 
of  weeds  and  grasses,  which  may  be  found  at  any  time. 
A  few  species  that  are  insect-eating  to  a  great  extent, 
change  their  diet  to  one  of  seeds  and  buds  when  win- 
ter comes,  and  are  thus  enabled  to  remain  in  a  cold 
climate.  On  the  other  hand,  many  seed-eating  birds 
go  south  because  they  find  food  more  abundant  there. 

In  both  spring  and  fall  migration  the  time  of  arrival 
of  every  species  at  a  given  place  is  known,  and  seldom 
varies  more  than  a  few  days  except  in  case  of  unusual 
storm.  In  the  spring  of  1882  extreme  cold  and  very 
severe  storms  occurred  along  the  Atlantic  coast  with 
the  effect  of  retarding  all  migrants  at  points  south  of 
Washington;  these  being  suddenly  released  by  a 
change  of  weather  came  on  in  hosts,  and  for  several 
days  the  streets  and  parks  of  the  city  were  crowded 
with  the  most  beautiful  and  rare  birds — a  sight  never 
to  be  forgotten.  In  this  part  of  the  country  migrants 
from  the  south  pass  up  the  coast  to  Cape  Henry, 
thence  up  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  and  up  the  Potomac, 
Delaware  and  Susquehanna  Rivers  to  their  northern 
breeding-places. 

It  is  interesting  to  notice  that  as  these  migrants 
roam  through  the  woods  in  search  of  food  all  move- 


MIGRATION.  157 

ment  is  in  the  direction  of  their  migration,  and  thus 
the  close  of  a  day  finds  them  some  distance  farther  on 
their  way.  The  male  birds  of  some  species  migrate 
before  the  females  and  the  adults  before  the  young. 

Although  many  birds,  like  the  Warblers  and 
Thrushes,  travel  leisurely  and  consume  weeks  in  the 
journey,  some  make  wonderful  flights.  Pigeons  have 
been  killed  in  New  England  with  their  crops  full  of 
undigested  rice,  which  could  only  have  been  picked 
up  the  day  before  in  the  great  rice-fields  of  Georgia 
or  Carolina.  Ducks  and  geese  fly  at  the  rate  of  sixty 
or  seventy  miles  an  hour,  while  the  Northern  Black 
Cloud  Swift,  it  is  said,  averages  eighty  miles  an  hour, 
and  can  cover  from  fifteen  hundred  to  two  thousand 
miles  a  day. 

The  distances  between  the  summer  and  winter 
homes  of  different  birds  vary  greatly.  Many  of  our 
summer  residents  winter  in  the  Southern  States,  com- 
paratively near,  while  other  birds  that  nest  far  north 
migrate  to  South  America. 

The  vernal  migration*  is  much  more  satisfactory  to 
observers  than  the  autumnal,  for  in  spring  the  birds 
are  in  song,  and  the  males  wear  their  gayest  colors, 
while  in  fall  their  voices  are  heard  only  in  call-notes, 
many  of  the  males  have  changed  to  dull  and  incon- 
spicuous hues,  and  the  strange-plumaged  young  are 
also  there  to  complicate  matters.  From  the  middle 
of  April  to  the  last  of  May,  however,  a  morning  spent 
among  the  birds  is  not  only  interesting  but  is  posi- 
tively exciting  as  one  tries  to  identify  the  many  species 
within  sight  and  hearing. 

Around  Washington  there  is  no  better  place  to 
observe  the  migrations  than  the  unfrequented  parts 
of  the  Zoological  Park  and  Rock  Creek  Park  adjoin- 


158  MIGRATION. 

ing.  This  piece  of  well-wooded  and  watered  country 
has  long  been  known  to  ornithologists  as  a  regular 
stopping-place  for  many  migrants,  including  some 
rare  ones,  and  its  public  use  has  not  yet  made  any 
perceptible  change  in  the  birds,  except  with  such  ex- 
tremely shy  species  as  naturally  avoid  man. 

C.  M. 


DESCRIPTIONS  OF  MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER 
RESIDENTS. 

Wilson's  Thrush;  Veery:   Turdus  fuse  esc  ens. 

Upper  parts  cinnamon-brown,  not  so  bright  as  in  the 
Wood  Thrush;  sides  of  the  throat  and  breast  lightly  spotted 
with  brown,  the  spots  small  and  wedge-shaped;  sides  whit- 
ish. Length  7l/2  inches.  April  25  to  May  28.  Common. 

Gray-cheeked  Thrush:   Turdus  alicice. 

Whole  of  upper  parts  uniform  greenish-olive;  eye-ring 
and  cheeks  grayish;  under  parts  white,  sides  of  throat  and 
breast  faintly  tinged  with  yellowish  and  spotted  with  black; 
sides  ashy.  Length  7^2  inches.  May  10  to  June  5.  Rather 
common. 

Olive -backed  Thrush:    Turdus  ustulatus  swainsonii. 

Like  the  Gray-cheeked,  except  that  the  eye-ring  is  deep 
cream-buff,  and  whole^.,  throat  and  breast  are  strongly  tinged 
with  yellowish.  Length  7  inches. 

Hermit  Thrush:   Turdus  aonalaschkce  pallasii. 

Upper  parts  olive-brown;  tail  reddish-brown,  contrasting 
strongly  with  color  of  back;  under  parts  white,  breast  and 
sides  of  throat  heavily  spotted  with  black.  Length  7^ 
inches.  April  20  to  May  3.  Very  common;  may  winter. 

Ruby-crowned  Kinglet:  Regulus  calendula. 

Upper  parts  olive-green,  wings  and  tail  dusky,  the  former 
with  two  white  bars;  crown  bright  red;  under  parts  white, 


l6o     MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS. 

slightly  washed  with  yellowish.  Female  and  young  without 
the  red  crown.  Length  4*4  inches.  April  5  to  May  8. 
Abundant. 

Golden-crowned  Kinglet:  Regulus  satrapa. 

Upper  parts  olive-green,  wings  and  tail  dusky;  crown 
rich  orange  in  male,  yellow  in  female,  in  both  bordered  with 
black;  under  parts  dull  whitish.  Length  4  inches.  Octo- 
ber 5  to  April  25.  Abundant. 

Red-breasted  Nuthatch:  Sitta  canadensis. 

Upper  parts  bluish-gray;  top  of  head  and  a  wide  stripe 
through  the  eye,  black  in  the  male,  bluish-gray  in  female; 
line  over  eye  white;  white  patches  on  the  tail;  under  parts 
reddish-brown.  Length  4^  inches.  September  18  to  May 
10.  Irregularly  abundant. 

Brown  Creeper:    Certhia  familiar  is  americana. 

Upper  parts  brown,  streaked  and  mottled  like  the  bark 
of  a  tree;  rump  light  reddish-brown;  tail-feathers  stiff  and 
sharply  -pointed;  under  parts  white.  Length  5^2  inches. 
September  25  to  April  20.  Common  in  winter. 

Winter  Wren:    Troglodytes  hiemalis. 

Upper  parts  dark  cinnamon-brown,  wings  and  tail  finely 
barred  with  black;  under  parts  paler,  the  sides  and  belly 
barred  with  black.  Tail  very  short,  carried  more  or  less 
erect.  Length  4  inches.  September  25  to  May  i.  Common 
in  winter. 

Bewick's  Wren:    Thryothorus  bewickii. 

Upper  parts  dark  cinnamon-brown;  central  tail-feathers 
barred,  outer  ones  black  with  whitish  tips;  tail  longer  than 
wings;  a  white  line  over  the  eye;  under  parts  white.  Length  5 
inches.  April  5  to  20;  November  25  to  December  20.  Rare. 


MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS.      161 

American  Pipit;  Titlark:  Anthus pensilvanicus. 

Upper  parts  brownish-gray,  a  white  line  over  the  eye; 
outer  tail-feathers  white;  under  parts  buffy,  streaked  with 
black.  Hind  toe-nail  as  long  as  the  toe.  Length  6y2  inches. 
October  15  to  April  25.  Sometimes  abundant  in  winter. 

Golden- winged   Warbler:    Helminthophila  chrysop- 
tera. 

Upper  parts  bluish-gray;  crown  and  large  wing-patch 
golden-yellow;  white  tail-patches;  white  and  black  mark- 
ings about  the  head;  a  black  patch  on  the  throat  and  upper 
breast,  which  is  grayish  in  female;  rest  of  under  parts 
white.  Length  5  inches.  May  I  to  25;  August.  Uncom- 
mon. 

Tennessee  Warbler:  Helminthophila  per egrina. 

Back  bright  olive-green,  top  and  sides  of  head  bluish- 
gray;  no  wing-bars;  under  parts  white.  Length  5  inches. 
Very  rare  in  May,  sometimes  common  in  fall  from  August 
25  to  October  15. 

Nashville  Warbler:  Helminthophila  ruficapilla. 

This  Warbler  is  like  the  Tennessee  except  that  the  under 
parts  are  yellow  instead  of  white,  and  there  is  a  partially 
concealed  chestnut  patch  in  the  center  of  the  crown.  Wings 
and  tail  edged  with  olive-green.  May  5  to  20;  September 
5  to  20.  Uncommon. 

Cape  May  Warbler:  Dtndroica  tigrina. 

Upper  parts  olive-green  streaked  with  black;  white  on  the 
wings;  ear-patch  chestnut-red;  under  parts  yellow,  heavily 
streaked  with  black.  Female  without  ear-patch.  Length 
5  inches.  May  5  to  20;  August  5  to  October  5.  Sometimes 
common,  usually  uncommon. 


1 62      MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS. 

Black-throated   Blue  Warbler:   Dendroica  cczrules- 
cens, 

Male,  upper  parts  grayish-blue;  a  white  spot  on  wing; 
sides  of  head  and  throat  black;  under  parts  white,  sides 
black  and  white  mixed.  Female,  upper  parts  olive-green, 
under  parts  "yellow.  Length  5^  inches.  April  25  to  May 
25;  August  25  to  October  15.  Very  common. 

Myrtle  Warbler;   Yellow-rumped  Warbler:  Den- 
droica coronata. 

Upper  parts  bluish-gray  streaked  with  black;  breast  marked 
with  black  more  heavily  in  the  male;  wing-bars,  tail-patches 
and  throat  white;  rump,  crown  and  sides  of  breast  yellow. 
Length  5^  inches.  October  I  to  May  20.  Abundant. 

Magnolia  Warbler:  Dendroica  maculosa. 

Upper  parts  black,  much  white  on  wings  and  tail;  a  white 
line  behind  the  eye;  under  parts  and  rump  yellow,  the 
breast  and  sides  distinctly  streaked  with  black.  Length  5 
inches.  April  25  to  May  30;  August  15  to  October  10. 
Common. 

Chapman  says  this  bird  may  be  known  in  any 
plumage  by  the  white  patches  on  the  tail  being  at  the 
tips  instead  of  near  the  middle  of  the  feathers. 

Chestnut-sided  Warbler:  Dendroica pensylvanica. 

Upper  parts  olive-gray  streaked  with  black;  sides  chest- 
nut; crown  yellow,  bordered  with  black;  sides  of  head  and 
under  parts  white.  Young  very  different;  upper  parts  yel- 
lowish-green; under  parts  white,  the  sides  sometimes  with 
spots  of  chestnut.  Length  5  inches.  April  28  to  June  i; 
August  10  to  October  i.  Abundant. 


MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS.      163 

Bay-breasted  Warbler:  Dendroica  castanea. 

Back  thickly  streaked  with  black  and  gray;  white  wing- 
bars  and  tail-patches;  crown  chestnut  in  male,  olive-green 
and  black  in  female;  forehead  and  sides  of  head  black; 
throat,  upper  breast  and  sides  chestnut-red;  lower  breast 
and  belly  buffy- white.  Length  5^  inches.  May  10  to  20; 
September  i  to  October  20.  Sometimes  abundant,  usually 
uncommon. 

Black-poll  Warbler:  Dendroica  striata. 

Upper  parts  ashy  streaked  with  black;  two  white  wing- 
bars  and  white  tail-patches;  crown  black;  under  parts 
white  streaked  with  black.  Female,  upper  parts  olive-green, 
distinctly  streaked  with  black;  under  parts  tinged  with  yel- 
low. Length  $l/2  inches.  May  I  to  June  5;  September  6 
to  October  20.  Abundant. 

Blackburnian  Warbler:  Dendroica  blackburnice. 

Upper  parts  chiefly  black,  wings  and  tail  largely  marked 
with  white;  throat  and  breast,  cheeks,  and  center  of  black 
crown  bright  orange-red.  In  the  young  the  orange  is  dull 
yellow.  Length  5]/2  inches.  May  6  to  20;  August  20  to 
October.  Common. 

Black-throated  Green  Warbler:  Dendroica  virens. 

Upper  parts  clear  olive-green;  wings  and  tail  dusky; 
wings  with  two  white  bars,  outer  tail-feathers  mostly  white; 
forehead  and  sides  of  head  yellow;  throat  and  upper  breast 
glossy  black;  rest  of  under  parts  yellowish-white,  the  sides 
streaked  with  black.  Length  5  inches.  April  25  to  May  28; 
August  28  to  October  20.  Very  common. 


164      MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS. 

Yellow  Palm  Warbler:  Dendroica  palmarum  hypo- 
chrysea. 

Upper  parts  olive,  greener  on  the  rump;  crown  chestnut, 
brighter  in  male;  no  wing-bars;  tail  with  broad  white  patches 
near  the  end;  under  parts,  and  line  over  the  eye  bright  yellow; 
throat,  breast,  and  sides  streaked  with  chestnut.  Length 
5J4  inches.  March  28  to  April  30;  October.  Common. 

Palm  Warbler:  Dendroica  palmarum. 

Much  like  the  preceding,  but  the  belly  is  dull  whitish 
instead  of  yellow.  April  30  to  May  18;  September.  Rare. 

Water-Thrush:  Seiurus  noveboracensis. 

Upper  parts  dull  grayish-olive;  no  white  wing-bars  or 
tail-patches;  a  buffy  line  over  the  eye;  under  parts  yellow- 
ish-white, streaked  all  over  with  black,  including  throat. 
Length  6  inches.  April  25  to  May  25;  July  20  to  Septem- 
ber. Common. 

Connecticut  Warbler:   Geothlypis  agilis. 

Upper  parts  olive-green,  no  wing-bars  or  tail-patches; 
head  and  breast  ashy;  eye-ring  white;  belly  yellow;  sides 
washed  with  olive-green.  Length  sy2  inches.  Rare  in 
spring,  late  May;  common  from  August  28  to  October  15. 

Mourning  Warbler:   Geothlypis  Philadelphia. 

This  species  is  like  the  preceding,  but  has  shorter  wings 
and  longer  tail,  and  no  white  eye-ring.  May  15  to  30  ;  Au- 
gust. Very  rare. 

Hooded  Warbler:    Wilsonia  mitrata. 

Upper  parts  olive-green,  head  and  neck  glossy  black, 
a  broad  band  of  golden-yellow  passing  through  and  beyond 
the  eye;  under  parts  bright  yellow.  Length  5^2  inches. 
May  i  to  30;  August  15  to  September  15.  Rare. 


MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS.      165 

Wilson' s  Warbler :    Wilsonia  pusilla. 

Upper  parts  bright  olive-green,  no  marks  on  wings  or 
tail;  black  crown-cap;  under  parts  bright  yellow.  Female 
and  young  without  black  cap.  Length  5  inches.  May  8  to 
20;  August  28  to  September  15.  Rather  common. 

Canadian  Warbler:    Wilsonia  canadensis. 

Whole  upper  parts  gray;  a  necklace  of  black  spots 
across  the  yellow  breast.  Female  duller.  Length  5J4  inches. 
May  5  to  25;  August  7  to  September  25.  Very  common. 

Philadelphia  Vireo:    Vireo  philadelphicus. 

Much  like  the  Warbling  Vireo  but  without  spurious 
primary,  and  entire  under  parts  are  pale  greenish-yellow. 
May  to  September.  Very  rare. 

Blue-headed  Vireo:    Vireo  solitarius. 

Upper  parts  olive-green;  top  and  sides  of  head  bluish 
gray;  eye-ring  white;  two  white  wing-bars,  and  white  on 
tail.  Length  5^2  inches.  April  10  to  May  10;  September 
to  October  25.  Common. 

*  Migrant  Shrike:  Lanius  ludovicianus  migrant. 

Upper  parts  slaty-gray;  wings  and  tail  black,  the  wings 
with  a  large  white  spot,  and  the  outer  tail-feathers  tipped 
with  white;  under  parts  white.  Length  9  inches.  August 
10  to  April  5.  Rare. 

Tree  Swallow;  White-bellied  Swallow:   Tachyci- 
neta  bicolor. 

Upper  parts  glossy  metallic-green;  under  parts  pure  white. 
The  young  are  bluish-gray  above,  with  white  on  wings. 
Length  6  inches.  April  I  to  May  25;  July  10  to  September. 
Common. 

*Wm.  Palmer,  Auk,  July,  1898,  p.  244. 


1 66     MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS. 

Purple  Finch:    Carpodacus purpureus. 

Male,  general  color  rose-red,  brightest  on  crown,  rump 
and  breast.  Under  parts  lighter,  becoming  white  on  the 
belly.  Female,  very  different;  upper  parts  grayish,  finely 
streaked  with  black  like  a  sparrow;  under  parts  white, 
streaked  and  spotted.  Length  6^4  inches.  September  15  to 
May  15.  Common  in  migrations. 


American  Crossbill:  Loxia  curvirostra 


minor. 


Tips  of  bill  crossed;  body  dull  red.  Female  and  young 
dull  olive-green,  the  young  sometimes  mixed  with  red. 
Length  6  inches.  Irregular  winter  visitors,  sometimes  abun- 
dant. 

Pine  Siskin:  Spinus pinus. 

Upper  parts  streaked  brown  and  gray,  darkest  on  head 
and  neck;  lower  back,  rump  and  wings  pale  sulphur-yellow; 
under  parts  buffy-white,  heavily  streaked  with  black.  Length 
5  inches.  Irregularly  abundant. 

Savanna  Sparrow:  Ammodramus  sandwichensis  sa- 
vanna. 

Pale  yellow  line  over  the  eye  and  yellow  on  the  bend  of 
the  wing;  upper  parts  dark,  under  parts  light,  much  streaked 
all  over  with  black  and  brown,  the  marks  on  the  breast 
wedge-shaped.  Length  5l/2  inches.  March  20  to  May  5; 
October  15  to  November  15.  Abundant  in  migration;  a  few 
winter.  , 

White -crowned  Sparrow:  Zonotrichia  leucophrys. 

Top  of  head  has  pure  white  stripe  bordered  by  black  lines 
of  equal  width;  general  color  ashy-gray,  the  wings  and  tail 
darker,  and  wings  with  touches  of  white.  Length  7  inches. 
April  15  to  May  i;  October  15  to  December  I.  Irregu- 
larly common;  may  winter. 


MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS.      167 

White-throated   Sparrow;    Peabody   Bird:    Zono- 

trichia  albicollis, 

A  black  crown  divided  by  white  stripe;  white  patch  on 
throat;  yellow  line  before  eye  and  bend  of  wing  yellow; 
upper  parts  brown  streaked  with  black;  two  white  wing- 
bars;  under  parts  whitish.  Length  6^4  inches.  September 
28  to  May  20.  Very  common. 

Tree  Sparrow;  Winter  Chippy:  Spizella  monticola. 
Crown  bright  chestnut;  line  over  eye,  cheeks,  throat  and 
breast  gray;  rest  of  plumage  brownish  streaked  with  darker; 
black  spot  on  throat;  two  whitish  wing-bars.  Length  6% 
inches.  November  I  to  April  5.  Abundant  winter  visitant. 

Slate-colored  Junco;   Snowbird:  Junco  hyemalis. 

Upper  parts,  throat  and  breast  slate  color;  belly  pure 
white;  no  wing-bars;  outer  tail-feathers  white.  Length  6^4 
inches.  October  5  to  April  25.  Abundant. 

Lincoln's  Sparrow:  Melospiza  lincolnii. 

Lincoln's  Sparrow,  which  is  a  rare  migrant,  is  distin- 
guished by  a  cream-buff  band  across  the  breast.  Length  5^4 
inches.  May  and  October. 

Swamp  Sparrow:  Melospiza  ge or giana. 

Forehead  black;  crown  chestnut-red,  in  winter  with 
black  stripes;  a  gray  line  over  the  eye,  and  sides  of  neck 
gray;  back  brown,  broadly  striped  with  black,  with  touches 
of  buff  and  rusty;  throat  and  belly  white,  breast  grayish. 
Length  5^  inches.  April  to  May  15;  September  25  to 
October  30.  Very  common  migrant;  a  few  winter. 

Fox  Sparrow:  Passer ella  iliaca. 

Our  largest  Sparrow.  Upper  parts  reddish-brown,  wings 
and  tail  brighter;  under  parts  whitish;  throat,  breast  and 
sides  heavily  spotted  with  reddish-brown  like  a  ^  Thrush. 
Length  7^  inches.  February  to  April  5;  October  25  to 
November.  Abundant  migrant;  a  few  winter. 


1 68      MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS. 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak:  Habia  ludoviciana. 

Male,  upper  parts  and  throat  black;  under  parts  and  rump 
white;  much  white  on  wings  and  tail;  breast  and  wing- 
linings  with  large  patches  of  rose-red.  Female,  brownish, 
with  a  white  lyie  through  the  crown  and  over  the  eye;  saf- 
fron-yellow under  wings.  Length  8  inches.  May  i  to  20; 
August  25  to  October  i.  Rather  common. 


BOBOLINK. 

Dickcissel;   Black-throated  Bunting:   Spiza  ameri- 

cana. 

Upper  parts  brownish,  streaked  very  much  like  English 
Sparrow;  a  yellow  line  over  the  eye;  throat  black,  breast 
yellow,  with  black  patch  in  the  center.  Female,  duller,  with- 
out black  on  throat  and  breast.  Length  6  inches.  For- 
merly common,  now  very  rarely  seen. 


MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS.       169 

Bobolink;    Reed-bird;    Rice-bird:    Dolichonyx  ory- 
zivorus. 

Male  in  spring  plumage,  head,  wings,  tail  and  under  parts 
black;  back  largely  grayish-white,  a  buff  patch  on  the  back 
of  the  neck.  Female,  young,  and  male  in  fall,  brownish 
streaked  with  black;  under  parts  buffy.  Length  7*4  inches. 
Common  in  spring,  abundant  in  fall. 

Rusty  Blackbird:  Scolecophagus  carolinus. 

Lustrous  bluish-black  all  over;  female  in  spring,  slate 
color.  Winter  plumage  of  both  birds  tipped  with  rusty. 
Length  9^2  inches.  October  25  to  April  25.  Common. 

Horned  Lark;   Shore  Lark:   Otocoris.  alpestris. 

Upper  parts  pinkish  brown;  tail  black,  outer  feathers 
marked  with  white;  forehead,  throat  and  line  over  the  eye 
sulphur-yellow.  Horns,  sides  of  throat,  and  a  patch  on  the 
breast  black.  Length  7^/2  inches. 

Alder'  Flycatcher:  Empidonax  traillii  alnorum. 

Upper  parts  olive-brown,  wings  and  tail  dusky;  under 
parts  whitish,  washed  with  gray  on  the  breast  and  sides, 
and  on  the  belly  with  yellowish;  throat  pure  white;  wing- 
bars  whitish.  Length  6  inches.  May  10  to  28;  August  15 
to  September  25.  Irregularly  common. 

Least  Flycatcher;    Chebec:  Empidonax  minimus. 

This  is  almost  precisely  like  the  Alder,  but  is  smaller, 
being  only  about  5  inches  long.  April  25  to  May  25;  Sep- 
tember i  to  25.  Common. 

Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher:  Empidonax  flaviventris. 

Upper  parts  bright  olive-green;  under  parts  yellow,  bright- 
est on  the  belly;  throat,  breast  and  sides  washed  with 
olive-green;  wing-bars  and  eye-ring  yellowish.  The  bright 


1 70      MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS. 

yellow  under  parts  distinguish  this  from  other  Flycatchers. 
Length  5^  inches.  May  i  to  30;  August  I  to  October  i. 
Rather  common. 

Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker:  Sphyrapicus  varius. 

Crown  and  throat  deep  scarlet.  Upper  parts  black  and 
yellowish-white  in  irregular  bars;  a  broad  white  line  from 
the  bill  outlines  the  scarlet  throat-patch,  and  a  narrow  white 
line  passes  through  the  eye;  breast  black;  belly  yellow; 
much  white  on  wings.  Female  paler  and  duller,  without 
scarlet  patches.  March  and  April;  October.  Occasional 
in  winter;  common  migrant. 

Pigeon  Hawk:  Falco  columbarius. 

Upper  parts  slaty-blue,  a  broken  rusty  collar;  indistinct 
wing-bars;  tail  banded  with  gray  or  tawny,  and  tipped  with 
white;  throat  white;  under  parts  tawny,  heavily  streaked 
with  dark  brown.  Length  10  inches.  Not  uncommon  in 
migrations. 

Short-eared  Owl:  Asia  accipitrinus. 

General  color  tawny;  upper  parts  variegated  with  dark 
brown;  tail  barred  broadly  and  evenly  with  dark  brown; 
under  parts  streaked  with  brown.  Length  16  inches.  Com- 
mon winter  visitant. 

Saw- whet  Owl:  Nyctala  acadica. 

Upper  parts  cinnamon-brown,  the  back  and  wings  spotted 
with  white;  tail  with  three  white  bars.  Length  7J/2  inches. 
The  smallest  Owl  in  the  Eastern  States.  A  rare  winter 
visitant;  October  to  March. 

Snowy  Owl:  Nyctea  nyctea. 

White,  more  or  less  barred  with  brown.  Length  2  feet. 
Irregular;  sometimes  common  in  winter. 


MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS.       \j  \ 

Wilson's  Snipe:   Gallinago  delicata. 

Crown  black,  divided  by  a  buff  stripe;  upper  parts  dark 
brown,  barred  and  mottled  with  bright  tawny  and  buff; 
throat  and  belly  white;  breast  pale  cinnamon,  indistinctly 
marked  with  darker;  narrow  white  wing-bars.  Length 
ii  inches.  March  to  May;  fall.  Common.  Remains  in 
very  mild  winters  only. 

Dr.  Coues  says  he  used  to  go  Snipe  shooting  in  the 
"  slashes  "  north  of  N  and  west  of  Fourteenth  streets. 

Pectoral  Sandpiper:    Tringa  metadata. 

Upper  parts  black,  the  feathers  all  bordered  with  light 
tawny;  throat  white;  neck  and  breast  heavily  streaked  with 
black  and  buffy;  upper  tail-coverts  black.  Winter  plumage 
similar  but  darker.  Length  9  inches.  April;  August  to 
November.  Common. 

Least  Sandpiper:    Tringa  minntilla. 

Upper  parts  blackish,  the  feathers  edged  with  bright  chest- 
nut, more  or  less  tipped  with  white;  under  parts  white, 
the  breast  speckled  with  blackish.  Toes  without  webs  be- 
tween the  bases.  Winter  plumage  upper  parts  brownish- 
gray.  Length  6  inches.  May;  August  to  October.  Un- 
common. 


Greater  Yellow-legs;  Yellow-shanks:  Totanus  me- 
lanoleucus. 

Upper  parts  black,  streaked  and  speckled  with  white; 
conspicuous  white  rump;  tail  barred  irregularly  with  white; 
white  breast  heavily  spotted  with  black;  belly  white.  Win- 
ter plumage,  upper  parts  brownish-gray,  edged  with  whitish; 
breast  only  lightly  streaked.  Length  14  inches.  April  and 
May;  July  25  to  November.  Rather  common. 


172      MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS. 

Yellow-legs;    Summer  Yellow-legs:    Totanus  fla- 
vipes. 

Like  the  Greater  Yellow-legs,  but  smaller.  Length  10  or 
n  inches.  Rather  common. 

Solitary  Sandpiper:   Totanus  solitarius. 

Upper  parts  dark  olive-brown,  faintly  speckled  with  white; 
under  parts  white,  dark  brown  markings  on  throat,  breast 
and  sides.  Winter  plumage,  upper  parts  grayish-brown; 
dark  markings  fainter.  Length  8^  inches.  April  to  May 
25;  July  25  to  November.  Common. 

Bartramian  Sandpiper;  Upland  Plover:  Bartramia 

longicauda. 

Head,  neck  and  upper  parts,  black  and  yellowish-brown; 
breast  faint  yellowish  marked  with  dusky;  belly  and  throat 
white;  crown  divided  by  a  buff  line.  Length  11^2  inches. 
April  to  May;  July  to  September.  Rare. 

Virginia  Rail:  Rallus  virginianus. 

General  effect  of  color  chestnut-red.  Upper  parts  dark 
brown  streaked  with  chestnut;  throat  white,  under  parts 
chestnut.  Length  9^  inches. 

Sora;   Ortolan:  Porzana  Carolina. 

Upper  parts  mixed,  olive-brown  and  black,  feathers  edged 
with  white;  throat  and  breast  pale  bluish-gray;  belly  white; 
flanks  barred  with  black  and  white.  Length  8^4  inches. 
March  to  May;  July  to  November.  Common. 

American  Coot;  Mud  Hen:  Fulica  americana. 

General  color  dark  slate,  paler  below;  head  and  neck 
black;  bill  flesh  color,  red  at  the  base;  legs  and  feet  green- 
ish. Length  15  inches.  March  to  May;  September  to  Oc- 
tober 15.  Common. 


MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS.       173 

American  Bittern;   Indian  Hen:   Botaurus  lentigi- 
nosus. 

General  color  greenish-brown,  upper  parts  speckled  with 
different  shades  of  brown,  black  and  white;  a  glossy  black 
patch  on  either  side  of  the  neck;  throat  white;  under  parts 
buffy  white  with  wide  streaks  of  brown  and  gray.  Length 
2j4  feet.  Rather  common. 

American      Merganser;       Goosander:     Merganser 
americanus. 

Head  and  upper  neck  dark  glossy  green;  lower  neck, 
greater  part  of  wings,  breast  and  belly  white;  back  black; 
under  parts  tinged  with  salmon.  Female,  head  reddish- 
brown,  upper  parts  ashy-gray.  Length  2  feet.  Rare. 

Red-breasted  Merganser;   Fish  Duck:  Merganser 
serrator. 

Head  and  throat  greenish-black;  a  white  ring  around  the 
neck;  upper  breast  and  sides  of  lower  neck  bright  reddish- 
brown;  serrate  bill,  the  upper  mandible  hooked.  Length 
22  inches.  Female,  head  grayish-brown,  upper  parts  ashy- 
gray.  Winter  resident.  Uncommon. 

Mallard:  Anas  boschas. 

Head  and  neck  glossy  greenish-  or  bluish-black,  bor- 
dered below  by  a  white  ring;  breast  rich  chestnut;  under 
parts  pale  gray,  marked  with  undulating  black  lines.  Length 
about  2  feet.  Winter  resident.  Common;  was  once  resi- 
dent all  the  year. 

Green-winged  Teal:  Anas  carolinensis. 

Head  and  neck  bright  chestnut,  except  a  shining  green 
band  from  eye  to  nape  of  neck;  green  band  on  wing;  a 
white  band  in  front  of  the  wing;  belly  white.  Female, 
brownish,  without  green  except  on  wing.  Length  15  inches. 
September  to  April.  Common. 


174      Mf GRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS. 

Blue-winged  Teal:  Arias  discors. 

A  curving  white  band  in  front  of  each  eye;  blue  on  wings, 
also  white.  Female,  without  white  band  before  the  eye,  and 
throat  white.  September  to  April.  Common. 

Shoveller;   Spoonbill:   Spatula  clypeata. 

Head  and  upper  neck  dark  glossy  green;  lower  neck 
and  upper  brfeast  white;  lower  breast  and  belly  bright  chest- 
nut; patches  of  white  and  grayish-blue  on  the  wings.  A 
distinguishing  feature  of  the  Shoveller  is  the  spoon-shaped 
bill,  which  is  much  longer  than  the  head,  and  twice  as  wide 
at  the  end  as  at  the  base.  Length  20  inches.  Winter  resi- 
dent. Not  common. 

Pintail:  Dafila  acuta. 

Head  and  neck  glossy  olive-brown;  back  of  neck  striped 
with  black  and  white;  back  grayish;  a  green  patch  on 
wing;  lower  parts  white.  Central  tail-feathers  much  elon- 
gated. Female,  duller,  no  green  wing-patch.  Length  2^4 
feet.  October  to  April.  Not  uncommon. 

Redhead:  Ay  thy  a  americana. 

Head  and  upper  neck  bright  chestnut-red;  lower  neck, 
extending  on  the  upper  breast  and  back,  black;  rest  of  the 
body  grayish;  lighter  below.  Female,  head  and  neck  gray- 
ish-brown; upper  throat  white.  Length  about  1^4  feet. 
Common  in  winter. 

Canvas-back:  Ay  thy  a  vallisneria. 

Much  like  the  Redhead,  but  the  bill  is  longer,  the  head 
is  brown,  and  crown  and  chin  are  black.  Length  i^4  feet. 
Winter  visitant.  Rare. 

American  Scaup  Duck:  Aythya  marila  nearctica. 

Head  and  neck,  extending  on  breast  and  back,  black, 
the  head  with  greenish  reflections;  back  with  wavy  bars  of 
black  and  white;  under  parts  white,  belly  and  sides  marked 


MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS,      175 

with  wavy  black  bars.  Female,  brown  where  male  is  black; 
region  around  bill  white.  Length  il/2  feet.  Winter  resi- 
dent. Rather  common. 

Ring-necked  Duck:  Ay  thy  a  collaris. 

Similar  to  Scaup,  but  has  a  chestnut  band  around  the 
neck.  Female  like  female  Redhead,  but  smaller  and  browner. 
Length  il/2  feet.  Winter  resident.  Not  rare. 

American  Golden-eye;  Whistler:  Clangula clangula 

americana. 

Head  green,  an  oval  white  patch  in  front  of  the  eye; 
iris  golden-yellow;  neck,  under  parts  and  large  area  on  wings 
white;  rest  of  plumage  black.  Female,  head  cinnamon- 
brown,  and  less  white.  Length  20  inches.  October  to  April. 
Not  rare. 

Ruffle-head;   Butter-ball:  Cliaritonetta  albeola. 

A  broad  white  band  across  the  back  of  the  head;  rest  of 
head  and  neck  beautiful  iridescent  green  and  blue;  back 
black;  remainder  of  plumage  mostly  white.  Female,  throat 
and  upper  parts  dark  brown;  a  white  patch  on  sides  of 
the  head.  Length  15  inches.  September  to  April.  Com- 
mon. 

Ruddy  Duck;   Rook:  Erismatura  jamaicensis. 

Crown  black,  cheeks  and  chin  white;  neck,  back  and  sides 
of  the  body  chestnut-red;  under  parts  silvery- white,  some- 
times mottled;  stiff,  pointed  tail-feathers.  Female,  upper  parts 
dark  grayish-brown  and  buffy;  sides  of  head  and  throat 
whitish.  Length  15  inches.  September  to  April.  Common. 

Canada  Goose;  Wild  Goose:  Branta  canadensis. 

"  Winter  visitant,  arriving  in  the  fall  on  the  ap- 
proach of  cold  weather.  Few  probably  settle  on  the 
waters  within  the  District,  but  it  is  no  uncommon 
sight  to  see  files  of  geese  flying  over,  and  they  are 


MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS. 


found  in  the  markets  and  restaurants  all  through  the 
winter."     (Avifauna  Columbiana.) 

American  Herring  Gull;  Sea  Gull:  Larus  argentatus 
smiths  onianus. 

Back  and  wings  pearl-gray,  the  wings  with  black  mark- 
ings; rest  of  plumage  white.  Length  2  feet.  October  to 
March.  Common. 

Ring-billed  Gull:  Larus  delawarensis. 

Back  and  wings  pearl-gray;  wings  marked  with  black  and 
white;  rest  of  plumage  white;  bill  greenish-yellow,  encircled 
near  the  end  with  a  broad  black  band.  Length  20  inches. 
February  to  April  5;  October  to  November.  Very  common. 

Bonaparte's  Gull:  Larus  Philadelphia. 

Much  smaller  than  the  preceding.  In  summer,  head  and 
upper  neck  dark  slate  color;  back  and  wings  pearl-gray; 
rest  of  plumage  white.  Immature  birds  and  adults  in  fall 
without  black  head.  Length  14  inches.  April  to  May  5; 
October  to  November.  Common. 

Black  Tern:  Hydrochelidon  nigra  surinamensis. 

In  summer,  head,  neck  and  under  parts  black;  back, 
wings  and  tail  slate  color;  bill  and  feet  black.  In  winter, 
forehead  and  under  parts  white.  Length  10  inches.  Some- 
times common  in  August  and  September. 

Loon:   Gavia  imber. 

Head  and  neck  dark  bluish-green,  patches  of  mottled 
white  on  throat  and  sides  of  neck;  upper  parts  and  sides 
glossy  black,  conspicuously  spotted  with  white;  under  parts 
white.  Length  2^2  feet.  September  to  April  25.  Common. 


MIGRANTS  AND  WINTER  RESIDENTS. 


177 


Horned  Grebe:   Colymbus  auritus. 

Large  black  ruff  around  the  head,  two  brownish  yellow 
plumes  above  the  eyes;  back  and  wings  blackish;  neck, 
upper  breast  and  sides  chestnut;  belly  white.  Length  14 
inches.  In  winter,  all  under  parts  silvery-white.  October 
to  May.  Common. 

Pied-billed  Grebe;   Dipper:  Podilymbus podiceps. 

Upper  parts  blackish-brown;  throat  black;  upper  breast 
ana  sides  mottled;  under  parts  white;  black  band  across 
the  bill.  In  summer,  throat  white  and  no  black  band  on 
bill.  Length  14  inches.  August  25  to  May.  Common,  but 
less  so  in  midwinter. 


LIST  OF  ALL  BIRDS  FOUND  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF 
COLUMBIA. 

BY 

DR.  C.  W.  RICHMOND, 
OF  THE  SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


ff 

g 

*? 

•2 

1 

1  ^ 

1 
j 

1 

i 

"s  -3 

f3  § 

1 

1 

~  §2 

11 

s 

II 

**H 

•S 

1 

|S5 

£ 

1 

c 

1 

s 

i 

1    Bluebird    

x 

x 

x 

x 

2.  American  Robin  

X 

x 

X 

X* 

3   Wood  Thrush  

x 

x 

April  to  Oct. 

4    ArVilson's  Thrush 

x 

i  April  and  May  ;  Aug. 

)     and  Sept. 

5.  Gray-cheeked  Thrush. 

x 

May  ;  Sept.  and  Oct. 
(  Several  records;  Oct. 

6.  Bicknell's  Thrush  

X* 

•<     3,  1885;  May  14  and 

1     18,  1888,  etc. 

7.  Olive-backed  Thrush... 

x 

May;  Sept.  and  Oct. 

8.  Hermit  Thrush     .. 

x 

X* 

(  Oct.  to  May.  Usually 

\     rare  in  winter. 

9.  Golden-crowned  Kinglet* 

X 

x 

Sept.  to  April. 

I  Sept.  to  Nov.;    April 

10.  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet.. 

X 

X* 

•<     to  May.     Rare  in 

/     winter. 

11.  Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher  .  . 
12.  White-breasted  Nuthatch 

X 

X 
X 

X 

X 

April  to  Sept. 

13.  Red-breasted  Nuthatch.. 

X 

X 

Sept.  to  May. 

14.  Tufted  Titmouse  

X 

X 

X 

15.  Chickadee  

X* 

X 

(Irregular;     Oct.     to 

\     April. 

16.  Carolina  Chickadee.  . 

X 

x 

X 

17.  Brown  Creeper  

X 

x 

Sept.  to  April. 
(  Rare  near  Washing- 

18.  Mockingbird 

X* 

X 

x 

•<     ton  ;    very  rare  in 

(     winter. 

19   Catbird 

X* 

X 

x 

x 

j  April  to  Sept.    Rare 

}     in  winter. 

20.  Brown  Thrasher  

? 

x 

X 

X 

j  April  to  Oct.  Rare  in 
\     winter. 

21.  Carolina  Wren  

x 

x 

x 

22.  Bewick's  Wren  

V* 

V* 

j  March  and  April  ; 

X\ 

s\ 

(     Nov.  and  Dec. 

23    House  Wren 

April  to  Sept.  or  Oct. 

24.  Winter  Wren  

X' 

Sept.  to  May. 

*  Rare  at  this  season. 


BIRDS  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


179 


Permanent 
Residents. 

^ 

s 

I 

Spring  and  Autumn 
Migrants. 

Winter  Residents.  , 

1 

1 

1 
1 

Accidental 
Stragglers. 

2o.  Short-billed  Marsh  Wren 

26.  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren 
27.  American  Pipit. 

x 

X* 
X 

x 

X* 

9 

j  Two  records  :  May  9, 
t     1890;  May3,  1893. 
April  to  Oct. 
Oct.  to  May 

28.  Black  and  White  Warbler 
29.  Prothouotary  Warbler.. 
30.  Worm-eating  Warbler.  .  . 
31.  Blue-winged  Warbler... 

32.  Brewster's  Warbler 

X 

X 
X* 

X 

X 
X* 
X* 

X 

April  to  Oct. 
j  Three  or   four    rec- 
|     ords  in  May. 
April  to  Sept 
April  to  Sept. 
j  Two    records  :     May 

33.  Golden-winged  Warbler. 
34.  IS  ash  ville  Warbler  
35.  Orange-crowned  Warbler 

36.  Tennessee  Warbler 

X* 
X* 
X* 

X* 

1     15,1885;  May  1,1895. 
jMay,Aug.,andprob- 
1     ably  Sept. 
May  ;  Sept. 
j  Two  records  :  Oct.  13, 
j      1889  ;  Oct.  14,  1894. 
j  May  (very  rare)  ; 

37.  Parula  Warbler  

x 

X 

(     Aug.  to  Oct. 
April  to  Oct 

38.  Usnea  Warbler 

j  April  to  May  ;  Sept. 

39.  Cape  May  Warbler  
40.  Yellow  Warbler        

X 

X 

x 

1      to  Oct. 
May  ;  Aug.  to  Oct. 
April  to  Sept 

41.  Black-throated    B  1  u  e  \ 
Warbler  j 

X 

April  to  Oct. 

42.  Myrtle  Warbler  

x 

X 

Sept.  to  May. 

43.  Magnolia  Warbler 

X 

I  April  and  May  ;  Aug. 

44.  Cerulean  Warbler  . 

X* 

Q 

1     to  Oct. 
j  Two  records  :  May  5, 

45.  Chestnut-sided  Warbler. 
46.  Bay-breasted  Warbler... 
47.  Black-poll  Warbler  
48.  Blackburnian  Warbler:. 
49.  Yellow-throated  Warbler 

50.  Black-throated     Green  \ 
Warbler.                        f 

X* 

X 
X 
X 

x 

? 

X 

j      1888;  May  11,1890. 
j  April  and  May  ;  Aug. 
}     to  Sept. 
j  May  ;  Aug.  to  Oct.  Ir- 
|     regularly  common. 
j  April  to  June  ;  Aug. 
|     to  Oct. 
May  ;  Aug.  to  Oct. 
(April  or  May  to  Sept. 
I     Rare  in  summer. 
j  April  and  May  ;  Aug. 

51.  Kirtland's  Warbler....  . 
52.  Pine  Warbler  

v 

X* 

\/ 

? 

j  One  record  :  Sept.  25, 
j      1887. 

53.  Palm  Warbler 

j  Late  April  to  May; 

54.  Yellow  Palm  Warbler... 
55.  Prairie  Warbler 

X 

j      Sept.  and  Oct. 
(March    and    early 
•<     April  ;    Sept.    and 
f     Oct. 

56.  Oven-bird  

v 

57.  Water-Thrush.. 

(April  and  May;  July 

1     to  Sept. 

*  Rare  at  this  season. 


l8o     BIRDS  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


Permanent 
Residents. 

Summer 
Residents. 

Spring  and  Autumn 
Migrants. 

Winter  Residents. 

Casual  Visitors. 

Accidental 
Stragglers. 

58.  Grinnell's  Water-Thrush 

59.  Louisiana  Water-Thrush 
60.  Kentucky  Warbler.  ...... 

X 

V 

X 

X 
v 

X 

j  Three  records  :  May 
\     and  Aug. 
April  to  Sept. 
May  to  Sept. 

61  .  Connecticut  Warbler    .  .  . 
62    Mourning  Warbler  

X 
v* 

j  May  (rare)  ;  Aug.  to 
|      Oct. 
May;  Aug.  to  Oct. 

63.  Marylafid  Yellow-throat. 
6i.  Yellow-breasted  Chat.  .  .  . 

65.  Hooded  Warbler.  

X 
X 

? 

X 
X 
v* 

• 

April  to  Oct. 
April  to  Sept. 
j  April  to  June;  Aug. 

66.  Wilson's  Warbler  

v 

1     and  Sept. 
May;  Aug.  and  Sept. 

67    Canadian  Warbler. 

v 

May;  Aug.  and  Sept. 

68.  American  Redstart  
69    Red-eyed  Vireo 

X* 

V* 

X 
v 

April  to  Sept. 
April  to  Oct. 

70.  Philadelphia  Vireo  

v* 

May;  Sept. 

71    Warbling  Vireo 

v 

V 

April  to  Sept. 

72.  Yellow-throated  Vireo... 
73   Blue-headed  Vireo 

X 

X 
v 

April  to  Sept. 
April  to  Oct. 

74   White-eyed  Vireo 

X 

v 

April  to  Oct. 

75.  Northern  Shrike  
76.  Loggerhead  Shrike  

77.  Cedar  Waxwing  ... 

x 

X* 

? 
? 

X* 
X* 

X* 

Nov.  to  Feb. 
Aug.  to  April. 
3  Common    In   spring 

78.  Purple  Martin    

x 

V 

April  to  Sept. 

79    Cliff  Swallow 

v* 

V 

April  to  Sept. 

80.  Barn  Swallow  

x 

V 

March  to  Sept. 

81.  Tree  Swallow  

? 

V 

|  March  to  May;  July 

82.  Bank  Swallow  

x 

V 

April  to  Sept. 

83.  Rough-winged  Swallow.. 
84    Scarlet  Tanager 

x 

v* 

X 

V 

April  to  Sept. 
April  to  Oct. 

85.  Summer  Tanager  

v* 

V 

April  to  Sept. 

86    Pine  Grosbeak 

No  recent  records. 

87.  Purple  Finch     

V 

X* 

V 

Sept.  to  May, 

88.  American  Crossbill  

89.  White-winged  Crossbill.. 
90.  Redpoll  

? 

? 

X 

X* 
X* 

? 

X 
X 

(  Formerly   rare    and 
\     irregular;  now 
(     common  in  winter. 
No  recent  records. 
No  recent  records. 

91.  American  Goldfinch  
92.  Pine  Siskin 

X 

X 

V 

X 
X 

I 

j  Nests  very  late  ; 
1     July-Sept. 
i  Irregularly  common 
<     in  winter;   Oct.  to 

93.  Snowflake      e 

X 

V 

1     May. 
Irregular. 

94.  Lapland  Longspur  
95.  Vesper  Sparrow  

\/ 

v* 

x 

x 

X* 

X 

j  One  record;  Dec.  11, 
1      1886. 
j  Oct.  to  May;  rare  in 

96.  Savanna  Sparrow  
97.  Grasshopper  Sparrow... 

X 

x 
x 

X* 

\     mid-winter. 
j  Oct.  to  May  ;  rare  in 
1     mid-winter. 
March  to  Oct. 

*  Rare  at  this  season. 


BIRDS  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA.      181 


Permanent 
Residents. 

Summer 
Residents. 

Spring  and  Autumn 
Migrants. 

Winter  Retidents. 

Casual  Visitors. 

Accidental 
Stragglers. 

98    Henslow's  Sparrow 

x 

x 

April  to  Oct. 

99.  Nelson's  Sparrow  .  . 

x 

? 

j  Two  records:  Sept., 

100.  Lark  Sparrow 

|      1862  ;  Sept.  18,  189:j. 
Several  records: 
•{      Aug.  25  and  27,  1877; 

101.  White-crowned  Sparrow. 

102.  White-throated  Sparrow. 
103.  Tree  Sparrow  

104.  Chipping  Sparrow.  
105    Field  Sparrow 

X 

X 

X 
X 

X 

? 

X 
X 

X* 

Aug.  8,  1886. 
Oct.  to  May  ;  irregu- 
lar   and    rare     in 
winter. 
Sept.  to  May. 
Nov.  to  April, 
j  March  ;  Nov.      Rare 
(     in  mid-winter. 

106.  Slate-colored  Junco  
107.  Shufeldt's  Junco  

108.  Bachman's  Sparrow  
109.  Song  Sparrow  

\/ 

x/ 

X 

X 
X 

X 

X 

Sept.  to  May. 
J  One  instance  :  April 
1      28,  1890. 
)  One  instance  :  April 
1     29,  1896. 
(  Common,   but  more 

110    Lincoln's  Sparrow 

f 

")     so  in  migrations, 
j  Several  records  : 

111.  Swamp  Sparrow  

I      May  and  Oct. 
j  Sept.  to  May.     Rare 

112.  Fox  Sparrow 

)     in  mid-winter. 
Oct.  to  April.    Rare 

113.  Townee;  Chewink.  

\/ 

y 

X* 

in  mid-winter. 
April  to  Oct.  Irregu- 
larly    present     in 

114.  Cardinal    

9 

X 

winter. 
j  Less   common   than 

115.  Hose-breasted  Grosbeak. 
116.  Blue  Grosbeak  
117.  Indigo  Bunting 

X* 

x 

X 

x 

I     formerly. 
May;  Aug.  to  Sept. 
j  May  to  Sept.;  of  local 
1     distribution. 
May  to  Oct 

118.  Dlckcissel. 

V* 

V* 

I  Formerly    common, 

119.  European  House  Sparrow 
120.  Bobolink  

X 

x 

X 

(     seen. 
May-  Aug  to  Oct 

121.  Cowbird. 

V* 

V* 

122.  Yellow-headed  Blackbird 

123.  Red-winged  Blackbird..  . 
124.  Meadowlark 

X 
\/ 

X 

x 

X* 

X 

X 

One  record  :  Aug.  29, 
1892. 

lL'5.  Orchard  Oriole  

y 

126.  Baltimore  Oriole  ...  .... 
127.  Rusty  Blackbird.  ... 

X 

x 
x 

}-    in  the 
April  to  Sept.  ]     migra- 
J      lions. 
Oft  to  April 

X* 

X 

x 

X* 

j  Winters  only  in  very 

J     mild  seasons. 

*  Rare  at  this  season. 


182     ftfRDS  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


Permanent 
Residents. 

Summer 
Residents. 

Spring  and  Autumn 
Migrants. 

s 

I 

§ 

*$. 

i 

Casual  Visitors. 

Accidental 
S/ragglers. 

129.  Bronzed  Grackle... 

130.  Blue  Jay 

V* 

131.  American  Crow 

X 

132.  Fish  Crow  

y 

133.  Horned  Lark  

j 

y 

134.  Prairie  Horned  Lark  
135.  Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher 
136.  Kingbird.  .. 

y 

? 

X* 

X 

Aug.  to  April  ? 
April  to  Sept 

137.  Arkansas  Kingbird  
138.  Crested  Flycatcher  

x 

X 

(  One  record  :  Sept.  30, 
1      1874. 
April  to  Sopt 

139.  Phcabe    

X 

y 

V* 

140.  Olive-sided  Flycatcher.. 
141.  Wood  Pewee        

x 

x 

? 

One  record:  Sept.,  1881. 
May  to  Oct. 

142.  Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher 
143.  Green-crested  Flycatcher 
144.  AlderFlycatcher(Traill's) 
145.  Least  Flycatcher  

X 

X 
X 

x 

May;  Aug.  to  Oct. 
May  to  Sept. 
May  ;  Aug.  to  Sept. 
i  April  and  May;  Aug. 

146.  Ruby-throated      Hum-  1 
miugbird                       f 

X 

X 

1     to  Sept. 
Late  April  to  Oct. 

147.  Chimney  Swift  

April  to  Sept  or  Oct. 

148.  Whip-poor-will  ..       
149.  Nighthawk  

X 
X* 

x 
x 

April  to  Oct. 
April  to  Sept. 

150.  Hairy  Woodpecker. 

V* 

V* 

151.  Downy  Woodpecker  
152.  Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker 

153.  Pileated  Woodpecker.... 

154.  Red-headed  Woodpecker 
155.  Red-bellied  Woodpecker 
156.  Flicker 

X 

X 

X 
X 

X 

X* 

X 
X 

X 
X 

x 

X* 

X* 

X* 
X 

V* 

Sept.  to  April.    Rare 
in  winter. 
i  Frequent  near  Falls 
(     Church. 

157.  Belted  Kingfisher  

X 

y* 

V* 

(  A     permanent    resi- 
dent when  winters 

158.  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo.... 
159.  Black-billed  Cuckoo  

160.  Carolina  Paroquet  

161.  American    Long-eared  1 
Owl  f 

X 

X 
X* 

X 

X 
X 

X 

(     are  very  mild. 
May  to  Oct. 
May  to  Oct.    Rare. 
(  Now    exterminated  ; 
1     one   recorded    in- 
(     stance,  Sept.,  1865. 
1  Nests  in  pine  woods 
^     in  old  crows'  nests 

162.  Short-eared  Owl  

x 

x 

• 

(Found    along    the 

163.  Barred  Owl 

1     marshes. 
Uncommon    in    the 

164.  Saw-whet  Owl. 

1 

V* 

I     of  Washington. 

165.  Screech  Owl  

X 

x 

x 

166.  Great  Horned  Owl  

X 

X 

X 

| 

Rare  in   immediate 
vicinity  of   Wash- 
(     ington. 

*  Rare  at  this  season. 


BIRDS  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA.      183 


Permanent 
Residents. 

Summer 
Residents. 

Spring  and  Autumn 
Migrants. 

Winter  Residents. 

Casual  Visitors. 

Accidental 
Stragglers. 

167    Snowy  Owl 

x 

(  Irregularjsometimes 

168    American  Barn  Owl  . 

v 

X 

j  Nests  inSmithsonian 

169.  Swallow-tailed  Kite  

? 

(  In     two     instances  ; 
•<     Aug.    3,    1895,  and 

170.  Marsh  Hawk  

X 

X 

July  to  April. 

171.  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  
172.  Cooper's  Hawk 

X 
X 

X 

? 
? 

X 
X 

173.  American  Goshawk.  t  .... 

9 

174    Red-tailed  Hawk 

X 

V* 

9 

X 

175.  Red-shouldered  Hawk... 
176.  Broad-winged  Hawk.   ... 
177.  American    Rough-) 
legged  Hawk  j 
178.  Golden  Eagle  

X 
X 

x 
x 

? 

•) 

X 

x 

X* 

V* 

Rather  uncommon. 
Irregular. 

179.  Bald  Eagle  

X 

y 

y 

"/     and  Great  Falls. 

180.  Duck  Hawk  

V 

181.  Pigeon  Hawk  .          
182.  Sparrow  Hawk      .... 

x 

X 

X 

X 

? 

x 

(Most     common    in 
|      winter. 

183.  American  Osprey 

V* 

X 

l  Seen  at  times  in  sum- 
-<     mer,  but  does  not 

184.  Turkey  Vulture;    Buz-| 
zard        ,  .        .            j 

X 

X 

x 

(     nest. 

185.  Black  Vulture  

186.  Passenger  Pigeon  
187.  Mourning  Dove  

X 

X 

X* 

X 

X* 

X 

t     March  30,  1895. 
(  Now  very  irregular  ; 
•<     mainly     in     Sept. 
(     and  Oct. 
Rare  in  mid-winter, 

188.  Ground  Dove  

X 

(  In  two  instances  ; 
<     Sept..  1844,  and  Oct. 

189.  Wild  Turkey  

X* 

X 

x 

(      14,  1888. 
f  Rare  or  exterminat- 
ed near  Washing- 
•{     ton,  but  found  in 

190.  Bob-white  

X 

X 

x 

heavy    timber     in 
L     Virginia. 

191    Ruffed  Grouse 

X 

y 

x 

192.  Turnstone  
193.  American  Golden  Plover 
194.  Killdeer  

x 

X 

X* 
X* 

or 
or 

x 

X 

X 

Several  records. 

195.  Semipalmated  Plover  
196.  Belted  Piping  Plover  

197.  American  Woodcock  

X 

X 

X* 
X* 

x 

X* 

X 

May;  Aug.  and  Sept. 
j  March  ;  May.      Two 
j     records. 
j  Remains    in    very 
"1     mild  winters  only. 

*  Rare  at  this  season. 


1 84     BIRDS  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


Permanent 
Residents. 

Summer 
Residents. 

Spring  and  Autumn 
Migrants. 

Winter  Residents. 

Casual  Visitors. 

Accidental 
Stragglers. 

198.  Wilson's  Snipe  

X 

V* 

(Remains    in    very 

199.  Dowitcher  

? 

(     mild  winters  ouly. 
j  One    record  :     Sept. 

200.  Long-billed  Dowitcher  .  . 
201.  Stilt  Sandpiper  

? 

? 

x 

1     1879. 
J  One  instance  :  April, 
I      1884. 
J  One  record  :  Sept.  8, 

202.  Pectoral  Sandpiper  
203.  Baird's  Sandpiper 

X 

9 

? 

•y 

j     1885. 
April;  Aug.  to  Oct. 
STwo  records  ;    Sept. 
3    1894,  and    Sept 

204.  Least  Sandpiper. 

X 

25,  1894. 
May-  Aug   to  Oct 

205.  Red-backed  Sandpiper.. 
206.  Semipalmated  Sandpiper 
207.  Western  Sandpiper  

X* 
X 
v* 

April;  Oct. 
May  ;  Aug.  to  Oct. 
Sept. 

208.  Sanderlin0'. 

X* 

Sept.  and  Oct 

209.  Greater  Yellow-legs  
210.  Yellow-legs  

X 

x 

J  April  and  May  ;  July 
|      to  Oct.  or  later, 
j  April  and  May  ;  Aug. 

211.  Solitary  Sandpiper  

x 

1     to  Oct.  or  later. 
j  April  and  May;  July 

212.  Willet  

V* 

I     to  Nov. 

213.  Ruff  

j  In  one  instance  ; 

214.  Bartrarnian  Sandpiper.. 
215.  Spotted  Sandpiper. 

? 
v 

X* 

y 

X 

1      Sept.  3,  1894. 
j  March  to  May  ;  July 
1     to  Sept. 

216.  Long-billed  Curlew  
217.  Bed  Phalarope. 

X* 

j  One  record  :  Oct.  17, 

218.  Northern  Phalarope.  .  .  . 
219.  King  Rail  

x 

x 

X 

|      1885. 
j  One  record  :  Aug.  31, 
]      1891. 
May  occur  in  winter. 

220.  Clapper  Rail 

j  One  record  :  Sept.  8, 

221.  Virginia  Rail  
222    Sora... 

X 
v 

\      188'2. 
j  May  remain  until 
j      winter. 
J  March  to  May  ?  and 

223    Yellow  Rail 

j      Aug.  to  Nov. 
(  March    to    April    or 
<     Mav  '  and  Sept  ?  to 

224    Black  Rail 

/      Nov. 
j  Sept.;  Oct.    Few  rec- 

225.  Florida  Gallinule  

|     ords. 
1  April  —  ;  Aug.  to  Oct. 
•\     Possible    in     mid- 

226    American  Coot 

(     winter. 
j  March  to  May  ;  Sept. 

227.  Sandhill  Crane  

x 

|      to  Oct.  or  later. 
J  One  instance    years 
1     ago. 

*  Rare  at  this  season. 


BIRDS  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA.        185 


Permanent 
Residents. 

Summer 
Residents. 

Spring  and  Autumn 
Migrants. 

Winter  Residents. 

&0 

-I 
j5 

£ 

"e 

Accidental 
Stragglers. 

228.  American  Bittern.  
229.  Least  Bittern  

V* 

X 
X 

X 

Aug.  to  April. 
May  to  Sept. 

230.  Great  Blue  Heron  

X 

? 

? 

x 

i  Found      throughout 
<     year,  but  does  not 

231.  American  Egret  

X* 

|     breed  here  ? 
j  Usually  rare.  May  to 

232    Snowy  Heron        , 

X* 

? 

J     July  or  later. 
(Irregular   in    late 

233    Little  Blue  Heron  ... 

X* 

? 

(     autumn. 
July  and  Aug 

234.  Green  Heron  

x 

x 

May  to  Sept 

235.  Black-crowned      Night  | 
Heron  f 

X 

X 

X* 

236.  Wood  Ibis  

X 

j  Several    records    in 

237.  Glossy  Ibis  

V 

}     July. 
(One     record,   about 
•<     1817       Liable   to 

238.  American  Merganser.  . 
239.  Red-breasted  Merganser 

240.  Hooded  Merganser  
241.  Mallard  

X 
X 

X 

x 

X* 

x 

X 

V 

1     occur  in  spring. 
Sept.  to  March. 

jSept.    to    March    or 
1     later. 
Oct.  to  April 

242    Black  Duck 

x 

x 

Oct  to  April 

243.  Gad  wall     ... 

x 

V 

Aug  to  April 

244.  Widgeon   .,   

X 

j  Two  records  :  spring 

245.  Baldpate  

x 

V 

j     and  fall. 
Oct.  to  April 

246    European  Teal 

x 

j  One  instance  :  April, 

247.  Green-wiuged  Teal... 

x 

V 

1      1885. 

248.  Blue-winged  Teal          ... 
249.  Shoveller  

X 

V 

X 

V 

Sept.  to  June, 
j  Sept.    to   March    or 

25C.  Pintail  .. 

x 

X 

I     April. 

251.  Wood  Duck.., 

V 

Y* 

9 

X 

tRare    in    summer: 

252.  Redhead  . 

V 

x 

V 

I     and  fall. 
Oct   to  May 

253.  Canvas-back  
254.  American  Scaup  Duck.. 
255.  Lesser  Scaup  Duck  
256.  Ring-necked  Duck  
257.  American  Golden-eye.... 
25rf.  Barrow's  Golden-eye.  .. 
259.  Buffle-head    .. 

X* 

X* 
X 
X 
X 
X 

V 

X  XXXXX 

* 

X 

Oct.  to  April. 
Oct.  to  March. 
Oct.  to  April. 
Sept.  to  April. 
Oct.  to  April. 
Two  instances? 
Sept  to  April 

260.  Old-squaw  

V 

Y 

j  Uncommon.     Oct.  to 

261.  American  Eider  

? 

1     April. 
J  One  instance  long 

262.  American  Scoter  
263.  White-wiuged  Scoter  .... 
264.  Surf  Scoter  

X* 
X* 
X* 

orX 
orx 
or  X 

1     ago. 
Oct.  and  Nov. 

*Rare  at  this  season. 


1 86     BIRDS  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


Permanent 
Residents. 

Summer 
Residents. 

s 

j 

i 

*i 

1.1 

o>3= 

•£ 
% 

Winter  Residents. 

Casual  Visitors. 

Accidental 
Stragglers. 

265   Ruddy  Duck.  ..        . 

x 

X 

Sept  to  April 

266.  Canada  Goose  

j  Oct.  to    probably 

267.  Brant  

V* 

or  X 

1      April. 

268    Wtiistliug  Swan      . 

X* 

X* 

Oct  to  March  or  April 

269.  American  White  Pelican. 

270.  Double-crested  Cormo-  ) 
rant  J 

? 

X* 

? 

X 

9 

l  Casual  in  spring  and 
(     autumn, 
j  April;    July;    prob- 
ably   also    in    au- 

271.  Audubon's  Shearwater.. 
272    Leach's  Petrel  

? 

(     tumn. 
\  Two   or   three   in- 
"/     stances. 

273    Hawaiian  Petrel  . 

1  Two  specimens  (hur- 

274    Wilson's  Petrel 

(      1893.) 
l  One  instance,  many 

275.  Black  Skimmer    .    

(      1859.) 
i  One    instance,    long 

276.  American  Herring  Gull.  . 
277.  Ring-billed  Gull 

X 

X 

i      ago  (Sept.  8,  1858.) 
Oct.  to  March. 
J  Oct.  to  Nov.  and  Feb. 

278.  Laughing  Gull  

\     to  early  April. 
j  In   Sept.    Very   few 

279.  Bonaparte's  Gull  .... 

1     records, 
j  Oct.    to    Nov.    and 

280   Gull-billed  Tern 

1     March  to  May. 
\  Late    summer   and 

(     recent  records. 
(  In  one  instance,  after 

282.  Forster's  Tern  .  .  .  t  ,  

X 

(      29^1  896.  ^ 
j  In   late   summer  or 

283   Common  Tern 

")     early  autumn. 

284.  Least  Tern     

X 

285.  Black  Tern. 

f  Common  in  early  au- 
!      tumn      (Aug.    and 

286.  Brunnich's  Murre  
287    Loon  

X* 

x 

X 

j     Sept.)      Rare    or 
[     wanting  in  spring. 
Several  speci  m  e  n  s 
late  in  Dec.  ,1896.  No 
other  records  here. 
j  Sept.  to  April.     Less 

288.  Red-throated  Loon.  .     ... 

? 

X* 

X* 
•) 

X 

/     winter. 
\  Very  few  records;  all 
•<     in  late  autumn  or 
(     early  winter. 
(  Sept.  to  Nov.    Possi- 
<     bly  through  winter 

290   Horned  Grebe 

(     to  April. 

291.  Pied-billed  Grebe  

X 

X 

>  common  in 
\Ug.  to  May  )  mid-winter 

*  Rare  at  this  season. 


BIRDS  THAT  MAY  BE  SEEN  IN  WINTER. 


Bluebird 

American  Robin* 
Hermit  Thrush* 
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet* 
Golden-crowned   Kinglet 
Carolina  Chickadee 
Chickadee* 
Tufted  Titmouse 
Red-breasted  Nuthatch 
White-breasted   Nuthatch 
Brown  Creeper 
Winter  Wren 
Carolina  Wren 
Mockingbird* 
American    Pipit* 
Myrtle  Warbler* 
Loggerhead    Shrike* 
Northern  Shrike* 
Cedar  Waxwing* 
Cardinal 

Towhee;     Chewink* 
Fox  Sparrow* 
Swamp  Sparrow* 
Song  Sparrow 
Slate-colored  Junco 
Field  Sparrow 
Chipping  Sparrow* 
Tree  Sparrow 
White-throated    Sparrow 
Savanna  Sparrow 
Vesper  Sparrow* 
Pine  Siskin* 
American    Goldfinch 
American  Crossbill 
Purple  Finch* 
Purple  Crackle* 
Rusty   Blackbird 


,ird 


Meadowlark 

Red-winged   Blackfcii 

Cowbird* 

Fish  Crow 

American  Crow 

Blue  Jay* 

Prairie  Horned  Lark* 

Horned  Lark 

Phoebe* 

Flicker* 

Red-bellied  Woodpecker 

Red-headed  Woodpecker* 

Pileated  Woodpecker* 

Yellow-bellied   Sapsucker* 

Downy  Woodpecker 

Hairy  Woodpecker* 

Belted  Kingfisher* 

Great  Horned  Owl 

Screech  Owl 

Saw-whet  Owl* 

Barred  Owl 

Short-eared  Owl 

American  Long-eared  Owl 

American  Barn  Owl 

Sparrow  Hawk 

Bald  Eagle 

Broad- winged  Hawk* 

Red-shouldered  Hawk 

Red-tailed  Hawk 

Cooper's  Hawk 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk 

Marsh  Hawk 

Turkey  Vulture;  Buzzard 

Mourning  Dove* 

Wild  Turkey* 

Ruffed  Grouse* 

Bob-white 


*  Rare. 


BIRDS  THAT  NEST  WITHIN  THE  CITY  LIMITS. 
$     (Furnished  by  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher.) 

Robin  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren 

Song  Sparrow  Yellow  Warbler 

Catbird  Rough-winged   Swallow 

Wood  Thrush  Cedar  Waxwing 

Cardinal   Grosbeak  Red-eyed  Vireo 

Chipping  Sparrow  Yellow-throated  Vireo 

House  Wren  Warbling  Vireo 

Purple  Martin  Nighthawk 

Orchard  Oriole  Chimney  Swift 

Baltimore  Oriole  Hummingbird 
Red-headed    Woodpecker          Fish  Crow 

Carolina   Chickadee  Purple  Crackle 

Barn  Owl  Tufted  Titmouse 

ADDITIONAL  SPECIES  BREEDING  IN 
BROOKLAND. 

(Furnished  by  Mr.  Robert  Ridgway.) 

Bluebird  White-eyed  Vireo 

Brown  Thrasher  American  Crow 

Towhee;    Chewink  Wood  Pewee 

Field  Sparrow  Summer  Tanager 

Carolina  Wren  Indigo-bird 

Prairie  Warbler  Goldfinch 

Redstart  Great  Crested  Flycatcher 

Oven-bird  Flicker 

Yellow-breasted  Chat  Maryland  Yellow-throat 

BIRDS  SEEN  BY  MR.  WILLIAM  PALMER  AT  MT. 
VERNON, 

May  25,  1894,  evening. 

Bluebird  Song  Sparrow 

Wood  Thrush  Cardinal 

Catbird  Indigo-bird 


LOCAL  LISTS. 


189 


Marsh  Wren 

Black  and  White  Creeper 
Yellow  Warbler 
Maryland  Yellow-throat 
Yellow-breasted   Chat 
Redstart 
Red-eyed  Vireo 
White-eyed  Vireo 
Barn  Swallow 
Bank  Swallow 
Grasshopper   Sparrow 
Henslow's   Sparrow 

Field 


Bobolink 
Meadowlark 
American  Crow 
Kingbird 
Wood  Pewee 
Chimney  Swift 
Downy  Woodpecker 
Turkey  Buzzard 
Bald  Eagle 
Osprey 

Spotted  Sandpiper 
Wood  Duck 
Sparrow 


BIRDS  SEEN  BY  MR.  WILLIAM  PALMER  AT 
KENSINGTON, 

September  15,  1895. 


Wilson's  Thrush 
Gray-cheeked  Thrush 
Tufted  Titmouse 
Chickadee 
Catbird 

Black  and  White  Creeper 
Tennessee  Warbler 
Parula  Warbler 
Magnolia  Warbler 
Black-poll  Warbler 
Black-throated    Green   War- 
bler 

Pine  Warbler 
Oven-bird 
Water-Thrush 

Maryland 


Redstart 

Philadelphia  Vireo 
Goldfinch 
Cardinal 
Indigo-bird 
American  Crow 
Yellow-bellied    Flycatcher 
Chimney  Swift 
Whip-poor-will 
Nighthawk 
Downy  Woodpecker 
Red-headed  Woodpecker 
Flicker 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk 
Turkey  Buzzard 
Yellow-throat 


BIRDS  SEEN  BY  MR.  WILLIAM  PALMER  AT 
KENSINGTON, 


Bluebird 

Robin 

Wood  Thrush 


May  10,  1896. 

Scarlet  Tanager 
Pine  Siskin 
Grasshopper   Sparrow 


1 90  LOCAL  LISTS. 

Olive-backed  Thrush  Henslow's    Sparrow 

Chickadee  White-throated    Sparrow 

Carolina   Chickadee  Chipping   Sparrow 

Catbird  Field  Sparrow 

Brown  Thrasher  Song  Sparrow 

Carolina  Wren  Chewink 

House  Wren  Indigo-bird 

Black  and  White  Creeper  Bobolink 

Worm-eating  Warbler  Meadowlark 

Parula  Warbler  Orchard   Oriole 
Black-throated  Blue  Warbler  Blue  Jay 

Myrtle  Warbler  American  Crow 

Magnolia   Warbler  Kingbird 

Chestnut-sided  Warbler  Great  Crested  Flycatcher 

Bay-breasted  Warbler  Phoebe 

Black-poll  Warbler  Wood   Pewee 

Black-throated    Green   War-  Green-crested   Flycatcher 

.bier  Least  Flycatcher 

Prairie  Warbler  Hummingbird 

Oven-bird  Chimney  Swift 

Maryland  Yellow-throat  Downy  Woodpecker 

Yellow-breasted  Chat  Flicker 

Canadian  Warbler  Kingfisher 

American  Redstart  Yellow-billed   Cuckoo 

Red-eyed  Vireo  Sharp-shinned  Hawk 

Yellow-throated   Vireo  Turkey  Buzzard 

Cedar  Waxwing  Spotted  Sandpiper 

Rough-winged   Swallow  Solitary  Sandpiper 

BIRDS  SEEN  BY  A  BOY  IN  ZOOLOGICAL  PARK, 

On  the  morning  of  May  14,  1898. 

H.  W.  M. 

Yellow  Warbler  Blue  Jay 

Blackbird  Cedar  Waxwing 

Mourning  Dove  Golden-crowned  Kinglet 

Song  Sparrow  White-throated  Sparrow 

Catbird  Phcebe 

Chipping    Sparrow  Myrtle  Warbler 

Wood  Thrush  Chimney  Swift 


LOCAL  LISTS.  I9I 

Hummingbird  Black  and  White  Creeper 

Crow  Scarlet  Tanager 

Cardinal  Baltimore  Oriole 

Carolina  Wren  Black-throated  Blue  Warbler 

Maryland  Yellow-throat  Red-eyed  Vireo 

Goldfinch  Chestnut-sided   Warbler 

Yellow-breasted  Chat  Redstart 

Chewink  Spotted    Sandpiper 

Oven-bird  Yellow-throated  Vireo 

Flicker  Buzzard 

Indigo-bird  Prairie  Warbler 


OBSERVATION  OUTLINE 

ABRIDGED  FROM 

"BIRDS  OF  VILLAGE  AND  FIELD" 

BY 

FLORENCE  A.  MERRIAM. 
By  permission  of  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co. 


POINTS  TO  NOTE  TO  ASSIST  IN  IDENTIFICATION. 

Name  Common.  D 

Scientific. 

I.  Size  (compared  with  English  Sparrow,  Robin,  Crow). 

II.  Colors.     Bright— Dull. 

III.  Markings. 

1.  TOP  OF  HEAD. 

2.  BACK. 

3.  BREAST. 

4.  WINGS. 

5.  TAIL. 

IV.  Shape, 

1.  BODY. — Long  and  slender — Short  and  stocky. 

2.  BILL. — Short  and  stout — Long  and  slender — Long 
and  heavy — Hooked — Curved. 

3.  WINGS. — Short  and  round — Long  and  slender. 

4.  TAIL. — Forked — Notched — Square — Fan-shaped. 


OBSER  VA  TION  O  UTLINE. 


193 


V.  Movements — Hop— Walk— Creep  up   trees— Bob   head 

and  wag  tail — Twitch  tail  from  side  to  side. 

VI.  Flight. 

1.  FAST. — Direct — Abrupt    and     zigzag — Smooth    and 
circling. 

2.  SLOW. — Flapping — Sailing     or     soaring — Flapping 
and  sailing  alternately. 

VII.  Localities    frequented. —  Gardens — Orchards — Road- 

side   fences — Meadows — Thickets — Woods — Rivers 
— Lakes — Marshes. 

VHI.     Food  and  manner  of  obtaining  it. 


IX.  Song. 

1.  MANNER  AND  TIME  OF  SINGING. — From  perch — In 
the  air. 

2.  CHARACTER  OF  SONG. —  Plaintive — Happy — Long — 
Short. 

3.  CALL      NOTES. —  Signal — Warning — Anger — Fear- 
Pain— Protest. 

X.  Habits. 

1.  GO   IN   FLOCKS. 

2.  FORM  ROOSTS. — Winter— Summer — Migration. 


3.    PERFORM  CURIOUS  ACTIONS  DURING  COURTSHIP.- 
Dances — Aerial  evolutions. 


XI.     Nest. 

i.     LOCATION.— In   or  on    the  ground — In    tree  trunks 
— On  branches — Hanging  from  branches. 


2.     SIZE  (compared  with  Hummingbird,  Robin,  Crow). 


3.  SHAPE. — Cup — Pocket— Basket— Wall-pocket— Oven 

— Gourd. 

4.  MATERIALS.  —  Clay  —  Grass  —  Rootlets  —  Leaves — 
Twigs — Hair — Fur — Feathers. 

13 


1 94  OBSER  VA  TION  O  UTLINE. 

5.     METHOD  OF  CONSTRUCTION. — Excavated — Woven — 
Plastered. 


6.  NUMBER  OF  DAYS  REQUIRED. 

7.  HABITS  OF  MALE  DURING  NEST-BUILDING. — Works 
with    female — Works    alone — Sings    while    female 
works — Brings   material   to  female — Absents   him- 
self from  nest. 

XII.     Eggs. 

1.  NUMBER. 

2.  COLOR. 

3.  MARKINGS. 


XIII.  Incubation. 

1.  LENGTH  OF  INCUBATION. 

2.  HABITS    OF   MALE   DURING   TIME. — Takes   place    of 
female  on  nest — Feeds  female  on  nest. 

XIV.  Young. 

1.  IN    NEST. 

Position  of  feather  tracts. 
Times  when  eyes  open 
Time  spent  in  nest. 

2.  CARED  FOR  BY   PARENTS. — Food  brought  in  bill — 

Food  regurgitated. 

3.  CONDITION  ON  LEAVING  NEST. 


4.       NOTES   AND   ACTIONS    OF  YOUNG. 


5.     NESTLING  PLUMAGE. 


USEFUL  BOOKS  FOR  BIRD  STUDENTS. 


Robert  Ridgway,     . 


Elliott  Coues 

Florence  A.  Merriam, 


Frank  M.  Chapman, 


John  Burroughs, 


Olive  Thorne  Miller,   . 

Mabel  Osgood  Wright, 
Mabel  Osgood  Wright, 
Elliott  Coues,       .    .    . 
Neltje  Blanchan,     .    . 
Bradford  Torrey,     .    . 
Frank  Bolles,  .    .    .    . 
J.  M.  Baskett,      .    „    . 
F.  C.  Kirk  wood,      .    . 
Coues  and  Prentiss,    . 
William  C.  Rives,  . 


.  Manual     of    North    American 

Birds.      2d  ed.,  1896     .    .  $7   50 

Nomenclature  of  Colors     ...  4  oo 

.  Key  to  North  American  Birds  .  7   50 

.  Birds  of  Village  and  Field    .    .  2  oo 

A-Birding  on  a  Broncho    ...  125 

Birds  through  an  Opera-Glass  .  75 
.  Handbook  of  Birds  of  Eastern 

North  America  \    .    .     .    .  3  oo 

Bird-Life i    75 

.  Wake-Robin i; .    .    .  i   25 

Signs  and  Seasons i   25 

Pepacton i    25 

.  In  Nesting  Time i   25 

Little  Brothers  of  the  Air  ...  i    25 

.  Birdcraft.      2d  ed.,  1897  ...  3  oo 

I  Citizen  Bird 175 

.  Bird  Neighbors  ...*..    .    .  2  oo 

.  Birds  in  the  Bush 125 

.  From  Blomidon  to  Smoky    .    .  i    25 

.  The  Story  of  the  Birds  .    ...  65 

.  List  of  the  Birds  of  Maryland  .  i   oo 

.  Avifauna  Columbiana  ...     .  2  oo 

.  Birds  of  the  Virginias    ....  60 


INDEX. 


About  Birds  In  General  21 
Acadian  Flycatcher  116 
Accipiter 

cooperii  140 

velox  138 

Actitis  macularia  152 
^gialitis  vocifera  152 
Agelaius  phoeniceus  100 
Aix  sponsa  155 
Alder  Flycatcher  169 
Ammodramus 

henslowii  89 

sandwichensis  savanna  166 

savannarum  passerinus  89 
Ampelis  cedrorum  76 
Anas 

boschas  173 

carolinensis  173 

discors  174 

Anthus  pensilvanicus  161 
Antrostomus  vociferus  119 
Ardea 

herodias  154 

virescens  153 
Ardetta  exilis  154 
Arkansas  Kingbird  182 
Asio 

accipitrinus  170 

wilsonianus  133 
Audubon's   Shearwater  186 
Aythya 

americana  174 

collaris  175 

marila  nearctica  174 

vallisneria  174 
Bachman's  Sparrow  181 
Baird's  Sandpiper  184 
Bald  Eagle  147 
Baldpate  185 
Baltimore  Oriole  103 
Bank  Swallow  82 
Barn  Owl,   American   132 
Barn  Swallow  80 
Barred  Owl  134 
Barrow's  Golden-eye  185 
Bartramia  longicauda  172 
Bartramian  Sandpiper  172 
Bay-breasted  Warbler  163 
Belted  Kingfisher  128 
Belted  Piping  Plover  183 
Bewick's   Wren  160 
Bicknell's  Thrush  178 
Birds    found    in    District    of  f 
lumbia  178 

migration  of  156 

of  garden  and  orchard  19 


Birds    found    in    District   of    Co- 
lumbia 

of  meadow  and  wild  field  19 

of  roadside  and  fences  19 

of  the  woods  19 

seen,  in  winter  187 

size  of  40 

that  show  white  in  flying  19 
Bittern 

American  173 

Least  154 

Black  and  White  Warbler  59 
Black   and   Yellow    Warbler    (see 

Magnolia  Warbler) 
Black-billed  Cuckoo  131 
Blackbird 

Crow  105 

Marsh  100 

Red-winged  100 

Rusty  169 

Yellow-headed  181 
Blackburnian  Warbler  163 
Black-crowned  Night  Heron  155 
Black  Duck  185 
Black-poll  Warbler  163 
Black  Rail  184 
Black  Skimmer  186 
Black  Tern  176 

Black-throated   Blue  Warbler   162 
Black-throated  Bunting  168 
Black-throated   Green   Warbler 

163 

Black  Vulture  183 
Bluebird  41 
Blue  Canary  96 
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher  45 
Blue  Grosbeak  95 
Blue-headed  Vireo  165 
Blue  Jay  108 
Blue-winged  Teal  174 
Blue-winged  Warbler  60 
Bobolink    169 
Bob-white  149 
Bonaparte's  Gull  176 
Bonasa  umbellus  150 
Botaurus  lentiginosus  173 
Brant  186 

Branta  canadensis  175 
Brewster's  Warbler  179 
Broad- winged  Hawk  143 
Bronzed  Grackle  182 
Brown  Creeper  160 
Brown  Thrasher  49 
Brown  Thrush  49 
Briinnich's  Murre  186 
Bubo  virginianus  136 


198 


INDEX. 


Buffle-head  175 
Bull  Bat  120 
Bunting 

Black-throated   168 

Indigo  (Indigo-bird)   96 
Buteo 

borealis   142 

latissimus  143 

lineatus  142 
Butter-ball  175 
Buzzard  148 
Canada  Goose  175 
Canadian  Warbler  165 
Canary 

Wild  87 

Blue  96 

Canvas-back  174 
Cape  May  Warbler  161 
Cardinal  94 

Cardinalis  cardinalis  94 
Carolina  Chickadee  47 
Carolina  Paroquet  182 
Carolina  Wren  53 
Carpodacns  purpureus  166 
Caspian  Tern  186 
Catbird  52 
Cathartes  aura  148 
Cedar  Wax  wing  76 
Ceophlceus  pileatus  125 
Certhia  familiaris  americana  160 
Cerulean  Warbler  179 
Ceryle  alcyon  128 
Chaetura   pelagica  117 
Chapman,    Frank    M.,    Field   Key 

25 

Charitonetta  albeola  175 
Ch,at,  Yellow-breasted  69 
Chebec  169 

Chelidon  erythrogastra  80 
Chestnut-sided  Warbler   162 
Chewink  (Towhee)  93 
Chickadee  178 
Chickadee,   Carolina  47 
Chicken  Hawk  140 
Chimney  Swallow  117 
Chimney  Swift  117 
Chipping  Sparrow  90 
Chippy,   Winter  167 
Chordeiles  virginianus  120 
Circus  hudsonius  146 
Cistothorus  palustris  56 
Clangula  clangula  americana  175 
Clapper  Rail  184 
Cliff  Swallow  81 
Clivicola  riparia  82 
Coccyzus 

americanus  130 
erythrophthalmus  131 
Cock-of-the-Woods  125 
Colaptes  auratus  127 
Colinus  Tirginianus  149 
Colymbus  auritus  177 
Common  Tern  186 
Compsothlypis  americana  61 
Connecticut  Warbler  164 
Contopus  virens  115 
Cooper's  Hawk  140 
Coot,  American  172 


Cormorant,  Double-crested  186 
Corvus 

americanus  106 

ossifragus  107 
Gowbird  98 
Crane,  Sandhill  184 
Ireeper,  Brown  160 
Crested  Flycatcher   (Great  Crest- 
ed) 112 
Crossbill 

American  166 

White-winged  180 
Crow 

American  106 

Fish  107 
Crow  Blackbird  105 
Cuckoo 

Black-billed  131 

Yellow-billed  130 
Curlew,  Long-billed  184 
Cyanocitta  cristata  108 
Dafila  acuta  174 
Dendroica 

sestiva  61 

blackburnise  163 

cserulescens  162 

castanea  162 

coronata  162 

discolor  63 

dominica  62 

maculosa  162 

palmnrum  164 

palmarum  hypochrysea  164 

pensylvanica  162     ' 

striata  163 

tigrina  161 

vigorsii  62 

virens  163 
Dickcissel  168 
Dipper  177 

zivorus  169 

Cormorant  186 
Dove 

Ground  183 

Mourning  148 

Turtle  148 
Dowitcher  184 

Long-billed  184 
Downy  Woodpecker  122 
Dryobates 

pubescens  122 

villosus  122 
Duck 

American  Scaup  174 

Black  185 

Fish  173 

Lesser  Scaup  185 

Ringed-necked  175 

Ruddv  175 

Wood  155 
Duck  Hawk  183 
Eagle 

Bald  147 

Golden  183 
Eave  Swallow  81 
Egret,  American  185 
Eider,  American  185 


Dipper  177 
Dolichonyx  oryzh 
Double-crested  C< 


INDEX. 


199 


Empidonax 

flaviventris  169 

minimus  169 

traillii  alnorum  169 

virescens  116 
English  Sparrow  96 
Erismatura  .iamaicensis  175 
European  Teal  185 
Falco 

columbarius  170 

sparverius  145 

Field  Key  (F.  M.  Chapman)  25 
Field  Sparrow  91 
Finches  86 
Finch 

Grass  88 

Purple  166 
Fish  Crow  107 
Fish  Duck  173 
Fish  Hawk  146 
Flicker  127 
Flycatchers  110 
Flycatcher 

Acadian  116 

Alder  169 

Great-crested  112 

Green-crested  116 

Least  169 

Olive-sided  182 

Scissor-tailed  182 

Yellow-bellied  169 
Fly-up-the-Creek  153 
Florida  Gallinule  184 
Forster's  Tern  186 
Fox  Sparrow  167 
Fresh-water  Marsh  Hen  153 
Fulica  americana  172 
Gadwall  185 

Galeoscoptes  carolinensis  52 
Gallinago  delicata  171 
Gallinule,  Florida  184 
Gavia  imber  176 
Geothlypis 

agilis  164 

formosa  66 

Philadelphia  164 

trichas  68 
Glossy  Ibis  185 
Gnatcatcher,  Blue-gray  45 
Golden-crowned  Kinglet  160 
Golden-crowned  Thrush  64 
Golden  Eagle  183 
Golden-eye 

American  175 

Barrow's  185 
Golden  Warbler  (see  Yellow 

Warbler) 

Golden-winged  Warbler  161 
Goldfinch,  American  86 
Goose 

Canada  175 

Wild  175 
Goosander  173 
Goshawk,  American  183 
Grackle 

Bronzed  182 

Purple  105 
Grass  Finch  88 


Grasshopper  Sparrow  89 
Gray-cheeked  Thrush  159 
Great  Blue  Heron  154 
Great  Crested  Flycatcher  112 
Greater  Yellow-legs  171 
Great  Horned  Owl  136 
Grebe 

Holboell's  186 

Horned  177 

Pied-billed  177 

Green-crested  Flycatcher  116 
Green  Heron  153 
Greenlets  71 
Green-winged  Teal  173 
Grinnell's  Water-Thrush  180 
Grosbeaks  86 
Grosbeak 

Blue  95 

Cardinal  94 

Pine  180 

Rose-breasted  168 
Ground  Dove  183 
Ground  Robin  94 
Grouse,  Ruffed  150 
Guiraca  cserulea  95 
Gull 

American  Herring  176 

Bonaparte's  176 

Laughing  186 

Ring-billed  176 

Sea  176 

Gull-billed  Tern  186 
Habia  ludoviciana  168 
Hairbird  90 
Hairy  Woodpecker  122 
Haliseetus  leucocephalus  147 
Harporhynchus  rufus  49 
Harrier  146 
Hawaiian  Petrel  186 
Hawks  137 

American  Rough-legged  183 

Broad-winged  143 

Cooper's  (Chicken  Hawk)  140 

Duck  183 

Fish  146 

Marsh  146 

Pigeon  170 

Red-shouldered  142 

Red-tailed  142 

Sharp-shinned  138 

Sparrow  144 
Helminthophila 

chrysoptera  161 

peregrina  161 

pinus  60 

ruficapilla  161 
Helmitherus  vermivorus  59 
Henslow's  Sparrow  89 
Hermit  Thrush  159 
Heron 

Black-crowned  Night  155 

Great  Blue  154 

Little  Blue  185 

Green  153 

Snowy  185 
Hick-up  Bird  116 
Holbcefl's  Grebe  186 


200 


INDEX. 


Hooded  Merganser  185 
Hooded  Warbler  164 
Hoot  Owl  134 
Horned  Grebe  177 
Horned  Lark  169 

Prairie  182 
House  Sparrow  96 
House  Wren  55 

Hummingbird,   Ruby-throated  118 
Hydrochelidon   nigra   surinamen- 

sis  176 
Ibis 

Glossy  185 

Wood  185 
Icteria  virens  69 
Icterus 

galbula  103 

spurius  104 
Indian  Hen  173 

Indigo  Bunting    (Indigo-bird)   96 
Jay,  Blue  108 
Junco 

Shufeldt's  181 

Slate-colored  167 
Junco  hyemalis  167 
Kentucky  Warbler  66 
Killdeer  152 
Kingbird  111 

Arkansas  182 
Kingfisher,  Belted  128 
Kinglet 

Golden-crowned  160 

Ruby-crowned  159 
King  Rail  153 
Kirtland's  Warbler  179 
Kite,  Swallow-tailed  183 
Lanius  ludovicianus  migrans  165 
Lapland  Longspur  180 
Lark 

Horned  169 

Prairie  Horned  182 

Shore  (Horned  Lark)  169 
Lark  Sparrow  181 
Larus 

argentatus  smithsonianus  176 

delawarensis  176 

Philadelphia  176 
Laughing  Gull  186 
Leach's  Petrel  186 
Least  Bittern  154 
Least  Flycatcher  169 
Least  Sandpiper  171 
Least  Tern  186 
Lesser  Scaup  Duck  185 
Lincoln's  Sparrow  167 
Little  Blue  Heron  185 
Local  Lists  188 
Loggerhead    Shrike    (Migrant 

Shrike)  180 

Long-billed  Curlew  184 
Long-billed  Dowitcher  184 
Long-billed  Marsh  Wren  56 
Long-eared  Owl,  American  133 
Longspur,  Lapland  180 
Loon  176 

Red-throated  186 
Louisiana  Water-Thrush  65 
Loxia  curvirostra  minor  166 


Magnolia  Warbler  162 
Mallard  173 
Marsh  Blackbird  100 
Marsh  Hawk  146 
Marsh  Robin  94 
Martin,  Purple  78 
Maryland  Yellow-throat  68 
Meadowlark  102 
Megascops  asio  135 
Melanerpes 

carolinus  125 

erythrocephalus  123 
Meleagris  gallopavo  151 
Melospiza 

fasciata  92 

georgiana  167 

lincolnii  167 
Merganser 

American  173 

Hooded  185 

Red-breasted  173 
Merganser 

americanus  173 

serrator  173 
Merriam,  Florence  A. 

Introduction  11 

Observation  Outlines  192 
Merula  migratoria  42 
Migrant    Shrike    (Loggerhead 

Shrike)  165 
Migrants  159 
Migration  of  Birds  156 
Mimus  polyglottos  50 
Mniotilta  varia  59 
Mockingbird  50 
Mocking  Wren  53 
Molothrus  ater  98 
Monkey-faced  Owl  132 
Mourning  Dove  148 
Mourning  Warbler  164 
Mud  Hen  172 
Murre,  Brunnich's  186 
Myiarchus  crinitus  112 
Myrtle  Warbler  162 
Nashville  Warbler  161 
Nelson's  Sparrow  181 
Nighthawk  120 
Northern  Phalarope  184 
Northern  Shrike  180 
Nuthatch 

Red-breasted  160 

White-breasted  48 
Nyctala  acadica  170 
Nyctea  nyctea  170 
Nycticorax  nycticorax  nsevius  155 
Observation  Outline 

Florence   A.   Merriam  192 
Old-squaw  185 
Olive-backed  Thrush  159 
Olive-sided  Flycatcher  182 
Orange-crowned  Warbler  179 
Orchard  Oriole  104 
Oriole 

Baltimore  103 

Orchard  104 
Ortolan  172 
Osprey,  American  146 
Otocorls  alpestris  169 


INDEX. 


201 


Oven-bird  64 
Owls  132 
Owl 

American  Barn  132 

American  Long-eared  133 

Barred  134 

Great  Horned  136 

Hoot  134 

Monkey-faced  132 

Saw-whet  170 

Screech  135 

Short-eared  170 

Snowy  170 
Palm  Warbler  164 
Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  146 
Paroquet,  Carolina  182 
Partridge  149 
Parula  Warbler  61 
Paras  bicolor  46 
Parus  carolinensis  47 
Passenger  Pigeon  183 
Passer  domesticus  96 
Passerella  iliaca  167 
Passerina  cyanea  96 
Peabody  Bird  167 
Pectoral  Sandpiper  171 
Pelican,  American  White  186 
Petrel 

Hawaiian  186 

Leach's  186 

Wilson's  186 

Petrochelidon  lunifrons  81 
Pewee,  Wood  115 
Phalarope 

Northern  184 

Red  184 

Philadelphia  Vireo  165 
Philohela  minor  151 
Phoebe  114 
Pied-billed  Grebe  177 
Pigeon  Hawk  170 
Pigeon,  Passenger  183 
Pileated  Woodpecker  125 
Pine  Grosbeak  180 
Pine  Siskin  166 
Pine  Warbler  62 
Pintail  174 

Pipilo  erythrophthalmus  93 
Pipit,  American  161 
Piranga 

erythromelas  84 

rubra  85 
Plover 

American  Golden  183 

Belted  Piping  183 

Semipalmated  183 

Upland  172 

Podilymbus  podiceps  177 
Polioptila  cserulea  45 
Poocsetes  gramineus  88 
Porzana  Carolina  172 
Prairie  Horned  Lark  182 
Prairie  Warbler  63 
Progne  subis  78 
Prothonotary  Warbler  179 
Purple  Finch  166 
Purple  Grackle  105 
Purple  Martin  78 


14 


Quail  149 

Quawk  155 

Quiscalus  quiscula  105 

Rail 

Black  184 

Clapper  184 

King  153 

Virginia  172 

Yellow  184 
Rallus 

elegans  153 

virginianus  172 
Red-backed  Sandpiper  184 
Red-bellied  Woodpecker  125 
Red-bird,  Virginia  94 
Red-breasted  Merganser  173 
Red-breasted  Nuthatch  160 
Red-eyed  Vireo  71 
Kedhead  174 

Red-headed  Woodpecker  123 
Red  Phalarope  184 
Redpoll  180 

Red-shouldered  Hawk  142 
Redstart,  American  70 
Red-tailed  Hawk  142 
Red-throated  Loon  186 
Red-winged  Blackbird  100 
Reed-bird  169 
Regulus 

calendula  159 

satrapa  160 
Rice-bird  169 
Richmond,   Dr.   C.  W. 

List    of    Birds    found   in    Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  178 
Ring-billed  Gull  176 
Ring-necked  Duck  175 
Robin,  American  42 
Rook  175 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak  168 
Rough-winged  Swallow  83 
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet  159 
Ruby-throated  Hummingbird   118 
Ruddy  Duck  175 
Ruff  184 

Ruffed  Grouse  150 
Rusty  Blackbird  169 
Sanderling  184 
Sandhill  Crane  184 
Sandpiper 

Baird's  184 

Bartramian  172 

Least  171 

Pectoral  171 

Red-backed  184 

Semipalmated  184 

Solitary  172 

Spotted  152 

Stilt  184 

Western  184 

Sapsucker,  Yellow-bellied  170 
Savanna  Sparrow  166 
Saw-whet  Owl  170 
Sayornis  phoebe  114 
Scarlet  Tanager  84 
Scaup  Duck 

American  174 

Lesser  185 


202 


INDEX. 


Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher  182 
Scolecophagus  carolinus  169 
Scoter 

American  185 

Surf  185 

White-winged  185 
Screech  Owl  135 
Sea  Gull  176 
Seiurus 

aurocapillus  64 

motacilla  65 

noveboracensis  164 
Semipalmated  Plover  183 
Semipalniated  Sandpiper  184 
Setophaga  ruticilla  70 
Sharp-shinned  Hawk  138 
Shearwater,  Audubon's  186 
Shore  Lark  169 
Short-billed  Marsh  Wren  179 
Short-eared  Owl  170 
Shoveller  174 
Shufeldt's  Junco  181 
Shrike 

Loggerhead   (Migrant    Shrike) 
180 

Migrant  165 

Northern  180 
Sialia  sialis  41 
Siskin.Pine  166 
Sitta 

canadensis  160 

carolinensis  48 
Size  of  Birds  40 
Skimmer,  Black  186 
Slate-colored  Junco  167 
Snipe,  Wilson's  171 
Snowbird  167 
Snowflake  180 
Snowy  Heron  185 
Snowy  Owl  170 
Solitary  Sandpiper  172 
Song  Sparrow  92 
Sora  172 
Sparrows  86 
Sparrow 

Bachman's  181 

Chipping  90 

English  96 

Field  91 

Fox  167 

Grasshopper  89 

Henslow's  89 

House  96 

Lark  181 

Lincoln's  167 

Nelson's  181 

Savanna  166 

Song  92 

Swamp  167 

Tree  167 

Vesper  88 

White-crowned  166 

White-throated  167 

Yellow-winged  89 
Sparrow  Hawk  144 
Spatula  clypeata  174 
Sphyrapicus  varius  170 


Spinus 

pinus  166 

tristis  86 

Spiza  americana  168 
Spizella 

pusilla  91 

monticola  167 

socialis  90 
Spoonbill  174 
Spotted  Sandpiper  152 
Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  83 
Stilt  Sandpiper  184 
Strix  pratincola  132 
Sturnella  magna  102 
Summer  Tanager  85 
Summer  Yellowbird  61 
Summer  Yellow-legs  172 
Surf  Scoter  185 
Swallows  78 
Swallow 

Bank  82 

Barn  80 

Cliff  81 

Eave  81 

Rough-winged  83 

Tree  165 

White-bellied  165 
Swallow-tailed  Kite  183 
Swamp  Sparrow  167 
Swamp  Robin  94 
Swan,Whistling  186 
Swift,  Chimney  117 
Syrnium  nebulosum  134 
Tachycineta  bicolor  165 
Tanager 

Scarlet  84 

Summer  85 
Teal 

Blue-winged  174 

European  185 

Green-winged  173 
Tennessee  Warbler  161 
Tern 

Black  176 

Caspian  186 

Common  186 

Forster's  186 

Gull-billed  186 

Least  186 
Thistle-bird  86 
Thrasher,  Brown  49 
Thrush 

Bicknell's  178 

Brown  49 

Golden-crowned  64 

Gray-cheeked  159 

Hermit  159 

Olive-backed  159 

Wilson's  159 

Wood  44 
Thryothorus 

bewickii  160 

ludovicianus  53 
Tilt-up  152 
Titlark  161 
Titmouse,  Tufted  46 


INDEX. 


203 


Totanus 

flavipes  172 

melanoleucus  171 

solitarius  172 
Towhee  (Chewink)  93 
Tree  Sparrow  167 
Tree  Swallow  165 
Tringa 

maculata  171 

minutilla  171 
Trochilus  colubris  118 
Troglodytes 

aedon  55 

hiemalis  160 
Tufted  Titmouse  46 
Turdus 

aliciae  159 

aonalaschkse  pallasii  159 

fuscescens  159 

mustelinus  44 

ustulatus  swainsonii  159 
Turnstone  183 
Turkey  Vulture  148 
Turkey,  Wild  151 
Turtle  Dove  148 
Tyrannus  tyrannus  111 
Upland  Plover  172 
TJsnea  Warbler  179 
Veery  159 
Vesper  Sparrow  88 
Vireos  71 
Vireo 

Blue-headed  165 

Philadelphia  165 

Red-eyed  71 

Warbling  72 

White-eyed  74 

Yellow-throated  73 

flavifrons  73 

gilvus  72 

noveboracensis  74 

olivaceus  71 

philadelphicus  165 

solitarius  165 
Virginia  Rail  172 
Virginia  Red-Bird  94 
Vulture 

Black  183 

Turkey  148 
Warblers  58 
Warbler 

Bay-breasted  163 

Black  and  White  59 

Black  and  Yellow   (see   Magno- 
lia Warbler) 

Blackburnian  163 

Black-poll  163 

Black-throated  Blue  162 

Black-throated  Green  163 

Blue-winged  60 

Brewsters  179 

Canadian  165 

Cape  May  161 

Cerulean  179 

Chestnut-sided  162 

Connecticut  164 

Golden-winged  161 

Golden   (see  Yellow  Warbler) 


Warbler 

Hooded  164 

Kentucky  66 

Kirtland's  179 

Magnolia  162 

Mourning  164 

Myrtle  162 

Nashville  161 

Orange-crowned  179 

Palm  164 

Parula  61 

Pine  62 

Prairie  63 

Prothonotary  179 

Tennessee  161 

Usnea  179 

Wilson's  165 

Worm-eating  59 

Yellow  61 

Yellow  Palm  164 

Yellow-rumped  162 

Yellow-throated  62 
Warbling  Vireo  72 
Water-Thrush  164 

Grinnell's  180 

Louisiana  65 
Waxwing,  Cedar  76 
Western  Sandpiper  184 
Whip-poor-will  119 
Whistler  175 
Whistling  Swan  186 
White-bellied  Swallow  165 
White-breasted  Nuthatch  48 
White-crowned  Sparrow  166 
White-eyed  Vireo  74 
White-throated  Sparrow  167 
White-winged  Crossbill  180 
White-winged  Scoter  185 
Widgeon  185 
Wild  Canary  87 
Wild  Goose  175 
Wild  Turkey  151 
\Yillet  184 
Wilsonia 

canadensis  165 

mitrata  164 

pusilla  165 
Wilson's  Petrel  186 
Wilson's  Snipe  171 
Wilson's  Thrush  159 
Wilson's  Warbler  165 
Winter  Chippy  167 
Winter  Residents  159 
Winter  Wren  160 
Woodcock,  American  151 
Wood  Duck  155 
Wood  Ibis  185 
Wood  Thrush  44 
Woodpeckers  121 
Woodpecker 

Downy  122 

Hairy  122 

Plleated  125 

Red-bellied  125 

Red-headed  123 
Wood  Pewee  115 
Worm-eating  Warbler  59 


204 


INDEX. 


Wren 

Bewick's  160 

Carolina  53 

House  55 

Long-billed  Marsh  56 

Mocking  53 

Short-billed  Marsh  179 

Winter  160 

Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher  169 
Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker  170 
Yellow-billed  Cuckoo  130 
Yellow-breasted  Chat  69 
Yellowhammer  127 
Yellow-headed  Blackbird  181 
Yellow-legs  172 

Greater  171 


Yellow-legs  • 

Summer  172 

Yellow  Palm  Warbler  164 
Yellow  Rail  184 
Yellow-rumped  Warbler  162 
Yellow-shanks  171 
Yellow-throated  Vireo  73 
Yellow-throated  Warbler  62 
Yellow-throat,  Maryland  68 
Yellow  Warbler  61 
Yellow-winged  Sparrow  89 
Zenaidura  macroura  148 
Zonotrichia 

albicollis  167 

leucophrys  166 


'  >  ^ 


